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.

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Other Word Forms

• overpopulation noun

Etymology

Origin of overpopulate

First recorded in 1865–70; over- + populate

Example Sentences

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

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2024

Experts warn that human-assisted tree migration must account for the risk of introducing nonnative species into an area where they could overpopulate and outcompete native species for water and soil nutrients.

From Scientific American • May 5, 2023

Like everything wonderful and good in the entertainment industry, the limited series has become so trendy that it is threatening to overpopulate itself into extinction.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2022

With a nod to those who already mentioned the invasive aspect, is there not a concern with a creature that can seemingly overpopulate every body of water it inhabits?

From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2018

They increase very rapidly, and at not infrequent intervals they overpopulate the island, and then perish by hundreds of starvation and the diseases which follow a too meagre diet.

From Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich Islands by Nordhoff, Charles