overstrung
Americanadjective
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overly tense or sensitive; strained; on edge.
Their nerves were badly overstrung.
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Archery. (of a bow) strung too tightly.
adjective
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too highly strung; tense
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(of a piano) having two sets of strings crossing each other at an oblique angle
Etymology
Origin of overstrung
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.
Yes, overstrung, gaudily painted, honky tonk joannas for passersby to hammer out jazz standards on, which – naturally – many appeared to be able to do.
From The Guardian ● Nov. 5, 2016
Both teams were overstrung, playing crazily in their eagerness to win.
From Time Magazine Archive
She was overstrung and tired out, and the coolness of her reception seemed like a plunge into an icy bath.
From Loyal to the School by Angela Brazil
Each time that this happened, Véronique had a sense of relief and her overstrung nerves grew relaxed.
From The Secret of Sarek by Maurice Leblanc
The people got on my overstrung youthful nerves.
From The Confessions of a Caricaturist, Vol. 1 by Harry Furniss
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
