overbought

American  

[oh-ver-bawt] / ˈoʊ vərˈbɔt /

adjective

1. marked by prices considered unjustifiably high because of extensive buying.

   The stock market is overbought now.

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verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of overbuy.

Etymology

Origin of overbought

First recorded in 1955–60; over- + bought

Compare meaning

How does overbought compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• overbought vs. oversold

Example Sentences

The velocity of that rebound meant the Wall Street stock-market barometer moved from oversold to overbought — in terms of its 14-day relative strength — in just 12 sessions.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

In fact, Emanuel notes, the only equivalent is from 1982, when the S&P 500 went from oversold conditions to overbought in just seven trading days.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

“The market has gone from oversold to overbought in record time,” Mayfield said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

They are in overbought territory, but that alone is not a sell signal.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

But that one of us twain who was singly concerned in encajes had fatigued and perhaps overbought herself at the antiquity shop, and she signified a regret which they divined too well was dissent.

From Familiar Spanish Travels by Howells, William Dean