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overexertion

American  
[oh-ver-ig-zur-shuhn] / ˌoʊ vər ɪgˈzɜr ʃən /

noun

  1. the act of working, exercising, or exerting oneself excessively.

    The Vermont Health Department is reminding people that overexertion when shoveling snow can lead to heart attacks.

  2. the act of using or exercising something excessively.

    People took to the streets to protest systemic racism and the overexertion of power by the police.


Etymology

Origin of overexertion

over- ( def. ) + exertion ( def. )

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:

It means she can faint or have seizures triggered by overexertion or anxiety.

From BBC Apr. 22, 2026

That can lead to rhabdomyolysis, a severe muscle breakdown caused by overexertion that can result in kidney failure, said Francisco J. Amaro Gahete, a leading researcher focused on whole-body EMS.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 1, 2026

I wish I could report that the Geffen Playhouse production lives up to its delirious premise, but this spinning top of a play makes itself dizzy from overexertion.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 28, 2024

Her blood work was abnormal and the attending vet believed this was due to overexertion and becoming winded, which was observed by both the senior trainer and the attending vet.

From Seattle Times Oct. 16, 2021

“Oh, Babygirl, I’m so glad you’re all right. When they called me to say that you were recovering from something called severe post-magic overexertion, I didn’t know what to think.”

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

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