Dictionary

overgovern en · VERB

Etymology

From over- + govern.

Meanings

1. (ambitransitive) To govern with too much rigidity or precision.
   • In Europe, he says, we over-govern. The subjects of European governments would seem, according to his notion, to be brought into this world only to be licked and taxed. 1833, Arthur Brooke Faulkner, Visit to Germany and the Low Countries in the Years 1829, 30, and 31:
   • He should not overgovern his neighbors and they should not overgovern him with countless laws calling for more clerks, more police and more rules and regulations and orders which few persons will obey. 1924, Game Breeder and Sportsman, volumes 25-28, page 224:

Forms

Relateds

micromanage