überzogene

Überzogene is a German adjective meaning excessive or exaggerated, used to describe things that go beyond what is reasonable or appropriate. It commonly modifies nouns referring to thoughts, claims, actions, or representations, as in überzogene Forderungen (excessive demands), überzogene Erwartungen (excessive expectations), or eine überzogene Reaktion (an exaggerated reaction). The nuance is usually evaluative, carrying a mild to strong disapproval depending on context.

Etymology: The form derives from the prefix über- meaning over, attached to the verb ziehen or überziehen. The attributive form überzogene follows standard German adjective inflection; the related participle überzogen serves as the base in predicative uses.

Usage notes: In everyday language, überzogene describes degrees of extremity. In finance, the related noun Überziehung denotes an overdraft, but this is a separate sense. Predicative uses typically employ überzogen: Die Reaktion war überzogen.

Grammar: In attributive position, überzogene agrees with gender and number: eine überzogene Forderung (feminine singular); die überzogenen Forderungen (plural). With definite articles, the ending usually appears as -e in singular: der überzogene Plan, die überzogene Darstellung. Without a definite article or in strong declension, masculine and neuter forms can differ (ein überzogener Plan; ein überzogenes Beispiel).

See also: Überziehung, Übermaß, Übertreibung, Übertreiben.