overexertion

American  

[oh-ver-ig-zur-shuhn] / ˌoʊ vər ɪgˈzɜr ʃən /

noun

1. the act of working, exercising, or exerting oneself excessively.

   The Vermont Health Department is reminding people that overexertion when shoveling snow can lead to heart attacks.

2. the act of using or exercising something excessively.

   People took to the streets to protest systemic racism and the overexertion of power by the police.

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Etymology

Origin of overexertion

over- ( def. ) + exertion ( def. )

Example Sentences

That can lead to rhabdomyolysis, a severe muscle breakdown caused by overexertion that can result in kidney failure, said Francisco J. Amaro Gahete, a leading researcher focused on whole-body EMS.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The leading cause of fatalities for farmworkers is transportation accidents, and the leading causes of nonfatal injuries are equipment, falling and tripping, and overexertion.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2024

In the workplace, they are caused from bending, reaching, twisting or standing, as well as overexertion or repetitive motions.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 24, 2023

“But typically, runners that dominate this early in their career fade from the spotlight as they mature due to overexertion and things like that. We don’t want that to happen to Colin.”

From Washington Post • May 9, 2022

“Oh, Babygirl, I’m so glad you’re all right. When they called me to say that you were recovering from something called severe post-magic overexertion, I didn’t know what to think.”

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston