overwork

American  

[oh-ver-wurk, oh-ver-wurk] / ˌoʊ vərˈwɜrk, ˈoʊ vərˌwɜrk /

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to work too hard, too much, or too long; weary or exhaust with work (often used reflexively).

   Don't overwork yourself on that new job.

2. to work up, stir up, or excite excessively.

   to overwork a mob to the verge of frenzy.

3. to employ or elaborate to excess.

   an appeal for sympathy that has been overworked by many speakers.

4. to work or decorate all over; decorate the surface of.

   white limestone overworked with inscriptions.

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verb (used without object)

1. to work too hard, too much, or too long; work to excess.

   You look as though you've been overworking.

noun

1. work beyond one's strength or capacity.

2. extra or excessive work.

overwork British  

verb

1. (also intr) to work or cause to work too hard or too long

2. to use too much

   to overwork an excuse

3. to decorate the surface of

4. to work up

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noun

1. excessive or excessively tiring work

Other Word Forms

• overworked adjective

Etymology

Origin of overwork

before 1000; Old English oferwyrcan. See over-, work

Example Sentences

"My nutrition's on point, I go to the gym, I'm a healthy guy, but I've just overworked myself clearly."

From BBC

Her previous publishers had been either too overworked or unbothered to treat her and her work with the respect she felt she deserved.

From Los Angeles Times

It means death through overwork, and refers principally to strokes and heart attacks suffered by people working very long hours.

From BBC

Already overworked, government lawyers in cities that have seen unrest, including Minneapolis, Chicago and Los Angeles, have been rocked by departures, crippling caseloads and directives from Washington that have made them uncomfortable.

From The Wall Street Journal

Tina Fey credits Moore for granting her a template to use to develop her overworked, gawky Liz Lemon on “30 Rock.”

From Salon