overstretch

[ verb oh-ver-strech; noun oh-ver-strech, oh-ver-strech ]

/ verb ˌoʊ vərˈstrɛtʃ; noun ˌoʊ vərˈstrɛtʃ, ˈoʊ vərˌstrɛtʃ /

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verb (used with object)

to stretch excessively.

to stretch or extend over.

noun

an act or instance of overstretching.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of overstretch

1300–50; Middle English overstrecchen;see over-, stretch

Words nearby overstretch

overstitch, overstock, overstood, overstory, overstress, overstretch, overstrew, overstride, overstrike, overstring, overstructured

How to use overstretch in a sentence

However, the agency began to overstretch its finances and suffered heavy losses in the 1987 crash.
Charles Saatchi: From Saatchi & Saatchi to Allegedly Choking Nigella Lawson|Peter Jukes|June 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As Professor Paul Kennedy of Yale has ominously warned, “imperial overstretch” can bankrupt and ruin even the mightiest empire.
It's Time for Us to Go|Christopher Buckley|October 28, 2009|DAILY BEAST
I do not overstretch the truth when I say that he liked himself first-rate.
Local Color|Irvin S. Cobb

British Dictionary definitions for overstretch

overstretch

/ (ˌəʊvəˈstrɛtʃ) /

verb (tr)

to make excessive demands or put excessive pressure on (oneself, finances, etc)

to stretch (muscles or limbs) too much or too hard

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012