overspend

[ oh-ver-spend ]

verb (used without object)

, o·ver·spent, o·ver·spend·ing.

1. to spend more than one can afford:

   Receiving a small inheritance, she began to overspend alarmingly.

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·spent, o·ver·spend·ing.

1. to spend in excess of:

   He was overspending his yearly salary by several thousand dollars.

2. to spend beyond one's means (used reflexively):

   When the bills arrived, he realized he had foolishly overspent himself.

3. to wear out; exhaust.

overspend

verb

1. to spend in excess of (one's desires or what one can afford or is allocated)
2. tr; usually passive to wear out; exhaust

noun

1. the amount by which someone or something is overspent

Word History and Origins

Origin of overspend¹

First recorded in 1580–90; over- + spend

Example Sentences

In theory, it’s supposed to prevent Congress from overspending.

From Washington Post

If you’re just starting out on a beard grooming journey, don’t overspend on luxury beard cosmetics without knowing how your skin and hair will react.

From Popular-Science

Holiday spending at the end of this year will soar as people overspend after having to celebrate giftless with relatives on Zoom.

From Washington Post

This way, you can grow your sales without running the risk of overspending.

From Search Engine Watch

The keywords were “overspending by 50% of my target budget,” he said.

From Search Engine Land

Or it might make you overspend on cars and helicopters and lead you to early, penniless death.

From The Daily Beast

"Thou shalt not overspend" is rapidly becoming a tenet of the evangelical belief system, rivaling social issues like gay marriage.

From The Daily Beast

I am never called anything but Mollie, except when I overspend my allowance, and mother feels it her duty to scold me.

From Project Gutenberg