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overpopulate

American  
[oh-ver-pop-yuh-leyt] / ˌoʊ vərˈpɒp yəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

overpopulated, overpopulating
  1. to fill with an excessive number of people, straining available resources and facilities.

    Expanding industry has overpopulated the western suburbs.


Other Word Forms

  • overpopulation noun

Etymology

Origin of overpopulate

First recorded in 1865–70; over- + populate

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.

Michael Charles, a solicitor specialising in education across Wales and England, said ALN schools had become "very overpopulated".

From BBC

"If restrictions are lifted too early, they can risk an overpopulated airspace, while on the flip side, restrictions remaining in place longer than they need to can lead to unnecessary delays, which no one wants".

From BBC

Authorities are now looking at translocating some animals so they don't overpopulate the area.

From BBC

Whether you are a grasshopper or a bird or a human, if you start destroying the environment in which you live, then you are overpopulated.

From Salon

One thing stood out: The roots of their sentiments lay in concerns that the United States has become overpopulated.

From Salon