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Synonyms

overextend

American  
[oh-ver-ik-stend] / ˌoʊ vər ɪkˈstɛnd /

verb (used with object)

  1. to extend, reach, or expand beyond a proper, safe, or reasonable point.

    a company that overextended its credit to diversify.

  2. to extend for too long a time.

    to overextend a stay.

  3. to obligate (oneself ) to more activities, work, etc., than one has time for or can accomplish well.


Other Word Forms

  • overextension noun

Etymology

Origin of overextend

First recorded in 1935–40; over- + extend

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.

There were big moves in the opposite direction on the vaccine news, and the overextended Covid winners have never recovered.

From The Wall Street Journal

With just those two items, her new monthly budget is overextended.

From The Wall Street Journal

If Oppenheimer is right then solid gains remain, but his reasoning—that companies aren’t getting overextended yet to build AI infrastructure—isn’t totally reassuring.

From The Wall Street Journal

You also have to make sure that by taking out the money, you aren’t overextending yourself — or you may end up in a precarious financial position.

From MarketWatch

“California’s economy is strong, revenues are outperforming expectations, and our fiscal position is stable because of years of prudent fiscal management — but we remain disciplined and focused on sustaining progress, not overextending it.”

From Los Angeles Times