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.

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Etymology

Origin of overexertion

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

Example Sentences

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

But the flaws in “The Californians” reflect ambition and overexertion, not slackness.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2025

The birds suffered from capture myopathy, a symptom animals in captivity experience through overexertion that can lead to metabolic and muscle issues.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 17, 2023

Someone who has never spent time outdoors might not know how to protect themselves from injury, overexertion or a wild animal, he said.

From Washington Post • Jul. 1, 2022

“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