overextend

verb

over·​ex·​tend ˌō-vər-ik-ˈstend 

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

ˌō-vər-ik-ˈsten(t)-shən 

noun

Examples of overextend in a Sentence

He overextended a muscle in his arm.

Recent Examples on the Web

You’re also exhausted, overextended, and wondering if business ownership is worth it. —Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

These Grizzlies are overextended after such a strange season, but still … how can anyone stop such a balanced powerhouse? —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025

Otherwise, employees either overextend themselves or underdeliver, unsure of how to manage competing priorities without visual cues from coworkers. —Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

The staffing surge during the pandemic, which was intended to address student learning loss and provide social-emotional support, has left many districts overextended. —Charlotte Morabito, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing overextend

• overextend oneself

Rhymes for overextend

• superintend
• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend

Kids Definition

overextend

verb

over·​ex·​tend ˌō-vər-ik-ˈstend 

: to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point

especially : to commit (oneself) financially beyond what can be paid

overextension

-ˈsten-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

overextend

transitive verb

over·​ex·​tend ˌō-və-rik-ˈstend 

: to extend too far

overextend the back

overextension

-ˈsten-chən 

noun