overuse

1 of 2

verb

over·​use ˌō-vər-ˈyüz 

overused; overusing

transitive verb

: to use (something) too much : to use (something) excessively or too frequently

a word that has been greatly overused

At best, gatekeepers can keep everyone from overusing costly high-tech treatments when primary care is enough.

—Marilyn Chase

overuse

2 of 2

noun

over·​use ˌō-vər-ˈyüs 

: too much use : excessive or too frequent use

the overuse of antibiotics

athletes suffering from overuse injuries

His overuse of four-letter words—often a dozen per page—may accurately mirror a macho world where cussing is cool, but it is tedious to read.

—Frederick Kaufman

Synonyms

Verb

• hackney
• overexpose
• stereotype
• vulgarize

Examples of overuse in a Sentence

Verb

she had overused that joke to the point where it was eliciting groans and not guffaws

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Inskeep: Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of homeland security, was impeached by House Republicans earlier this year for allegedly overusing the power of parole — actively letting people into the United States. —Ally Schweitzer, NPR, 8 May 2024

Midwood Investment & Development, which bought the property in 2017, sued Erewhon in 2022, accusing it of failing to pay rent and overusing the retail center’s parking lot for its employees. —Jenna Peterson, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

overuse

1 of 2 verb

over·​use

-ˈyüz

: to use too much

an overused phrase

overuse

2 of 2 noun

over·​use

-ˈyüs

: too much use