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

When leaders insist that AI will double productivity, employees often overwork to fulfill that prophecy.

From Barron's

Without knowing their opponent, the Hoosiers didn’t want to overwork older players.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's going to mean added stress and added work for staff who are already overworked particularly at this time of year."

From BBC

During the conversations with community members, people talked about their financial anxieties, stress due to overwork and the loneliness of adapting to a new culture in a new country.

From Los Angeles Times

However, not all patients benefit, and even those who do may see their response diminish as their T cells become overworked.

From Science Daily