overconsumption

noun

over·​con·​sump·​tion ˌō-vər-kən-ˈsəm(p)-shən 

: excessive consumption or use of something

the overconsumption of fossil fuels

overconsumption of alcohol

The flip side of deficient saving, of course, is overconsumption. At its peak in 1987, household expenditure as a percentage of national income was 74%, almost four percentage points above the highest levels reached during the previous two decades.

—Robert S. Gay

Examples of overconsumption in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Iran has faced electricity, gas and water shortages during peak-demand months due to mismanagement and overconsumption, according to Reuters. —Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Among the concerns raised: public intoxication; rowdy or obnoxious behavior; overconsumption and underage drinking; litter, and the environmental impact of single-use plastic cups. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 8 Aug. 2025

Bone Loss There is anecdotal evidence that suggests a possible correlation between the overconsumption of apple cider vinegar and bone loss. —Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 17 June 2025

And toxicity is low, meaning the issues overconsumption could cause are unpleasant but usually not serious, according to the ODS. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 17 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overconsumption

• assumption
• consumption
• presumption
• resumption
• subsumption
• gumption
• sumption