overact
/əʊvərˈakt
/verb [no object]
(Of an actor or actress) act a role in an exaggerated manner: a weepy actress with a strong tendency to overact (as noun overacting) there was a certain amount of overacting...
- Dahl's caricatures could eclipse a production when performed by a cast of skilled actors allowed to overact to their hearts' content, as is the case here.
- Everyone overacts in roles that are as unlikable as they are shallow.
- Unfortunately, its comedy potential is sapped from the start by overacting and exaggerated direction.
Synonyms
exaggerate, overdo it, overplay it
informal ham it up, camp it up, pile it on, lay it on thick, lay it on with a trowel