overexploitation

American  

[oh-ver-ek-sploi-tey-shuhn] / ˌoʊ vərˌɛk splɔɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. excessive utilization, especially for profit; overuse.

   Tourism in coastal areas often results in the overexploitation of local seafood species.

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Etymology

Origin of overexploitation

over- ( def. ) + exploitation ( def. )

Example Sentences

Most international frameworks governing wildlife trade, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, were designed primarily to protect species from overexploitation, according to Gore.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Our downward spiral notably includes the spread of invasive species; overexploitation of species; habitat modification, fragmentation and destruction; pollution; and, of course, climate change.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2025

The report found habitat degradation and loss was the biggest threat to wildlife, followed by overexploitation, invasive species, disease, climate change and pollution.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2024

The chain of events in Budongo also shows how human overexploitation of a resource can have “potentially catastrophic” implications for emerging pathogens, Gagneux says, by exposing animals to huge numbers of viruses.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 22, 2024

The   nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the   world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of   revenue.

From The 1994 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency