Lets assume your synchronous motor is connected to the grid, is running at rated voltage and is delivering rated active power. Lets also assume that the excitation system is adjusted in such a way that zero reactive power is generated, i.e. the motor is running at 1.0 p.f. If you then increase the excitation current, the motor voltage cannot follow because the grid voltage remains stable. Instead, the motor will deliver overexcited reactive power to the system. If you decrease excitation, the motor voltage again doesn't change but underexcited reactive power will result.
Wolf