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
I’m a fool for good anchovies, which I tend to overbuy.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 6, 2023
That was a clincher, for when a merchant sees a good thing he will overbuy, you know, just to keep his competitor from having a chance at it.
From Tales of the Road by Charles N. (Charles Newman) Crewdson
“As we’ve said before, overbought isn’t a reason to sell,” they say.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
Futures are in an overbought condition, “with a corrective phase due,” he adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
Currently, the relative strength index indicates bullish momentum in the 10-year rate, with a series of higher lows, and it remains well below the overbought reading of 70.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 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
Having a plan and a list can also prevent overbuying.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 4, 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
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.
