overuse

[ verb oh-ver-yooz; noun oh-ver-yoos ]

/ verb ˌoʊ vərˈyuz; noun ˈoʊ vərˈyus /

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See synonyms for: overuse / overused / overusing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), o·ver·used, o·ver·us·ing.

to use too much or too often: to overuse an expression.

noun

excessive use: to strain one's voice through overuse.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of overuse

First recorded in 1670–80; over- + use

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use overuse in a sentence

But I never used “awesome,” which has been ruined by over-use, to the point where it now means nothing more than OK.
Richard Dawkins: How I Write|Noah Charney|November 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Thus it is that over-use, in sports and games, of the muscles of shoulder and chest, occasions atrophy of mammary glands.
Feminism and Sex-Extinction|Arabella Kenealy
Developing creatures should never be allowed to over-use function or faculty.
Feminism and Sex-Extinction|Arabella Kenealy
It is liable to traumatic affections from a fall on the shoulder, pressure, or over-use of the limb.
Manual of Surgery|Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

Some people suggest by the over-use of head tones that they depend altogether on what they know to achieve success.
Certain Success|Norval A. Hawkins
The unskillful over-use of head tones may ruin a salesman's best opportunity to gain a coveted object.
Certain Success|Norval A. Hawkins

British Dictionary definitions for overuse

over-use

verb (ˌəʊvəˈjuːz) (tr)

to use excessively

noun (ˌəʊvəˈjuːs)

excessive use

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

overuse

Origin of overuse

Words related to overuse

How to use overuse in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for overuse