overdevelop

American  

[oh-ver-di-vel-uhp] / ˌoʊ vər dɪˈvɛl əp /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to develop to excess.

   to overdevelop a photograph; to overdevelop a waterfront area.

---

overdevelop British  

/ ˌəʊvədɪˈvɛləp /

verb

1. to develop too much or too far

2. photog to process (a film, plate, or print) in developer for more than the required time, at too great a concentration, etc

---

Other Word Forms

• overdevelopment noun

Etymology

Origin of overdevelop

First recorded in 1835–45; over- + develop

Example Sentences

They overdevelop, recklessly dump plastic and commit great violence to delicate marine ecosystems.

From New York Times

“The tendency often is to overdevelop parks, make them much more infrastructure and much less natural.”

From Washington Times

You don’t want to overdevelop one part.

From New York Times

To keep our pancakes as light and fluffy as possible, we avoided overmixing the batter, which would overdevelop the gluten and make the pancakes tough.

From Washington Times

“After eight to 10 reps, your muscles start to fatigue and overdevelop.”

From Washington Post