overuse

American  

[oh-ver-yooz, oh-ver-yoos] / ˌoʊ vərˈyuz, ˈoʊ vərˈyus /

verb (used with object)

overused, overusing

1. to use too much or too often.

   to overuse an expression.

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noun

1. excessive use.

   to strain one's voice through overuse.

Etymology

Origin of overuse

First recorded in 1670–80; over- + use

Explanation

To overuse something is to use it too much. If you use your cell phone way too often, texting your friends all day long and playing online Scrabble all night, you overuse it. You'll drive your English teacher crazy if you overuse the word like, and you'll rack up all kinds of extra fees if you overuse your iPad. Overuse is also a noun (with a slightly different pronunciation, just as the noun use sounds different from the verb use) — extravagant or excessive use is overuse. The world's overuse of fossil fuels contributes to the rapid warming of the planet.

Example Sentences

Golfers should give priority to physical foundation, mobility and movement control over just swing speed, and respect recovery to avoid overuse injuries.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

"Tendons are fundamentally susceptible to overuse," explains Jess Snedeker, a professor of orthopaedic biomechanics at ETH Zurich and Balgrist University Hospital in Zurich.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2026

The funding package also comes as new data shows that telehealth services do not result in overuse of medical services, which may help allay concerns about runaway usage and funding problems.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 24, 2026

In the wake of her recovery from cancer, the princess has spoken about the importance of kindness, calm and limiting the overuse of social media and mobile phones in a digital world.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026

They're dull and weak from overuse on Claudine.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• exaggerate
• overestimate
• overplay
• overrate
• overreach
• overstate
• overvalue