overcommit

American  

[oh-ver-kuh-mit] / ˌoʊ vər kəˈmɪt /

verb (used with object)

overcommitted, overcommitting

1. to commit more than is feasible, desirable, or necessary.

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overcommit British  

/ ˌəʊvəkəˈmɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to promise, undertake, or allocate more than the available resources justify

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Other Word Forms

• overcommitment noun

Etymology

Origin of overcommit

First recorded in 1950–55; over- + commit

Example Sentences

These guys commit to a bit, and commit, and commit, and overcommit and keep on going.

From Salon • Oct. 13, 2025

The expansion plans so far show a reluctance to overcommit, said Artem Abramov, deputy head of analysis at Rystad Energy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

After a cagey start with neither fighter willing to overcommit, she began to control the distance and land smart counter rights.

From BBC • Sep. 28, 2024

Instead of jumping into his assignment right away, Rivera said, Davis could have baited the lineman with an intentionally false step, forced him to overcommit and used his athleticism to evade the block altogether.

From Washington Post • Dec. 14, 2022

Bocanegra shifted to the left, and Oguchi Onyewu entered only to overcommit and allow Byers to come in alone on goalkeeper Tim Howard.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 9, 2012