overbuy
Americanverb (used with object)
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to purchase in excessive quantities.
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Finance. to buy on margin in excess of one's ability to provide added security in an emergency, as in a falling market.
verb (used without object)
Etymology
Origin of overbuy
First recorded in 1400–50, overbuy is from the late Middle English word overbiggen. See over-, buy
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.
See Examples For:
Demand from that market was a major growth driver for chip-equipment makers in recent years, but investors have been worried about U.S. export controls prompting companies in China to overbuy and stockpile unnecessary tools.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 3, 2026
The two things I overbuy the most are vintage jackets and notebooks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2025
“Before, I would overbuy; I realized I don’t need all of that,” said Ms. Park, who works as a part-time aesthetician and content creator.
From New York Times ● Apr. 28, 2023
“The biggest mistake I see is people overbuy, purchasing a two-stage blower when a single-stage will do,” Werner says.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 1, 2021
It was always a weakness in me to overbuy, and in receiving I could never hold a herd down to the agreed numbers, but my shortcomings in this instance proved a boon.
From Reed Anthony, Cowman by Andy Adams
The success that high-dividend-paying stocks have seen this month has left the iShares Core High Dividend ETF in overbought territory, according to at least one closely followed technical indicator.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026
Oil futures had moved into overbought territory and could be due for a corrective phase, Dennis Kissler of BOK Financial said in a note.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
Since the obvious artificial-intelligence plays are overbought, investors have been left to look for alternatives.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
Technical indicators do point to the possibility that Sandisk in danger of being overbought, but that isn’t fazing analysts.
From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 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 William Dean Howells
It’s also helpful to include quantities on your shopping list to prevent overbuying any one ingredient.
From Salon ● Feb. 23, 2024
She stays with us for a few months every year, visiting from overseas so cue the overbuying of food, gifts, etc.
From Slate ● Oct. 5, 2022
“You put the protective allocation in place to prevent folks from hoarding and overbuying, therefore exacerbating the shortage situation.”
From Washington Times ● Feb. 16, 2021
Here are their general suggestions for creating a well-stocked home arsenal, without overbuying.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 12, 2020
Keeping to the available space will help you avoid overbuying and waste.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 14, 2020
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
