overextend

[oh-ver-ik-stend] /ˌoʊ vər ɪkˈstɛnd/

verb (used with object)

to extend, reach, or expand beyond a proper, safe, or reasonable point:

a company that overextended its credit to diversify.

to extend for too long a time:

to overextend a stay.

to obligate (oneself) to more activities, work, etc., than one has time for or can accomplish well.

Origin of overextend

1935-1940

First recorded in 1935-40; over- + extend

Related forms

overextension

[oh-ver-ik-sten-shuh n] /ˌoʊ vər ɪkˈstɛn ʃən/ (Show IPA), noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
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Examples from the Web for over-extend

Contemporary Examples

Others would have America over-extend ourselves, confronting every evil that can be found abroad.

Obama Speech Looks Toward 2012 John Avlon June 23, 2011

Word Origin and History for over-extend

"to take on too much" (work, debt, etc.), 1937, from over- + extend. Related: Over-extended; over-extending.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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