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

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

From Salon

She said, at the same time, teachers with permanent positions were so overworked they were having to work on average a "day-and-a-half extra unpaid".

From BBC

There’s a certain category of urban legend that only spreads via overworked, working-class uncles.

From Salon

I quickly escaped my gown and corset and propped my overworked feet on the pillow to air them out.

From Literature

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

From Barron's