overextend

verb

over·​ex·​tend ˌō-vər-ik-ˈstend How to pronounce overextend (audio)
overextended; overextending; overextends

transitive verb

: to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point
especially : to commit (oneself) financially beyond what can be paid
overextension noun

Examples of overextend in a Sentence

He overextended a muscle in his arm.
Recent Examples on the Web Eclipses bring sudden endings and just as sudden beginnings, and this one might involve your willingness to overextend yourself, or something about the things that normally bring you pleasure. Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2024 Like Yitzhak Rabin, Mr. Sharon wanted to stay in the West Bank but bring outlying settlers into three defensible settlement blocs, removing the outposts that were overextending the resources of the army, Mr. Abramovich said. Steven Erlanger Sergey Ponomarev, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024 Sure, one noisy narrative is that consumers overextended themselves by borrowing to buy, and retailers crushed their margins by offering generous discounts. Indy Guha, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 But while Marvel Studios titles were once must-see theatrical events that dominated the zeitgeist and the box office, more recently, the MCU has lost some of its shine after overextending its production slate across film and TV. Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2023 This institutionalization benefits the United States: paradoxically, integrating Ukraine into NATO reduces the likelihood that the U.S. military will become overextended. Alina Polyakova, Foreign Affairs, 1 Feb. 2024 America is overextended, and Kim Jong-un’s regime could rationally, if not soberly, conclude that a window to achieve reunification on its terms is now open. Noah Rothman, National Review, 19 Jan. 2024 Some are still teens; others have grown up and left home but still feel over-involved and overextended. Sarah Sloat, The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2023 Hsu added that if consumers aren’t careful with the products they can get overextended and that can lead to loan delinquencies. Paige Smith, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overextend.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overextend was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near overextend

Cite this Entry

“Overextend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overextend. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

overextend

verb
over·​ex·​tend ˌō-vər-ik-ˈstend How to pronounce overextend (audio)
: to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point
especially : to commit (oneself) financially beyond what can be paid
overextension noun

Medical Definition

overextend

transitive verb
over·​ex·​tend ˌō-və-rik-ˈstend How to pronounce overextend (audio)
: to extend too far
overextend the back
overextension noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overextend

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