overextend

[oh-ver-ik-stend]

See more synonyms for overextend on Thesaurus.com

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.

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Origin of overextend

First recorded in 1935–40; over- + extend

Related formso·ver·ex·ten·sion

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

overdo drain sap overwork cripple weary disable fatigue impoverish weaken frazzle distend crunch force afflict pull stretch spring traumatize strain

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

v.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper