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Synonyms

overdo

American  
[oh-ver-doo] / ˌoʊ vərˈdu /

verb (used with object)

overdid, overdone, overdoing
  1. to do to excess; overindulge in.

    to overdo dieting.

  2. to carry to excess or beyond the proper limit.

    He puts on so much charm that he overdoes it.

  3. to overact (a part); exaggerate.

  4. to overtax the strength of; fatigue; exhaust.

  5. to cook too much or too long; overcook.

    Don't overdo the hamburgers.


verb (used without object)

overdid, overdone, overdoing
  1. to do too much; go to an extreme.

    Exercise is good but you mustn't overdo.

overdo British  
/ ˌəʊvəˈduː /

verb

  1. to take or carry too far; do to excess

  2. to exaggerate, overelaborate, or overplay

  3. to cook or bake too long

  4. to overtax one's strength, capacity, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of overdo

before 1000; Middle English overdon, Old English oferdōn. See over-, do 1

Vocabulary lists containing overdo

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And when she sees them twinty, more or less, what will she think?—Why would you say that?—she might find you out in a lie next minute, Mr. Overdo.

From Tales and Novels — Volume 08 by Edgeworth, Maria

Even smoking his pipe, very quietly, at his brother Martin's; from whence he was carried with a vast mob at his heels, before the worshipful Mr. Justice Overdo.

From History of John Bull by Arbuthnot, John

Some old play has a character in it who never ties his neckcloth without a warrant from Mr. Justice Overdo.

From The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 4 of 4 by American Anti-Slavery Society

Overdo, ō-vėr-dōō′, v.t. to do overmuch: to carry too far: to harass, to fatigue: to cook too much: to excel.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various