How to pronounce overreaction
Say it like OH-ver-ree-ak-shun. Overreaction has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overreaction. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- ver
- ree
- ak
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overreaction pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- akGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of overreaction
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OH-vuh-ree-ak-shun.
What does overreaction mean?
- A reaction that is excessive.“She had every right to dump you, but cutting up all your clothes after she did so was an overreaction.”
Where does overreaction come from?
From over- + reaction.
Questions about saying overreaction
How do you pronounce overreaction?
Say OH-ver-ree-ak-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚriˌækʃən/. In British English it is /ˈəʊvəriˌækʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overreaction?
Overreaction has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · ree · ak · shun.
Is overreaction pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈəʊvəriˌækʃən/ (OH-vuh-ree-ak-shun).