n.
Pronunciation: - ˌ käm-p ə n- ' s ā -sh ə n, - ˌ pen-
Function: noun
Date: 1912
: excessive compensation specifically : excessive reaction to a feeling of inferiority, guilt, or inadequacy leading to an exaggerated attempt to overcome the feeling
– over · com · pen · sate \ - ' käm-p ə n- ˌ s ā t \ verb
– over · com · pen · sa · to · ry \ -k ə m- ' pen(t)-s ə - ˌ to ̇ r- ē \ adjective