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

As economists often point out, this type of support can promote overconsumption in a very tight market and leash governments to ever-growing levels of debt. —Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

The promise of conscious consumerism never really grappled with the fact that the core problem is overconsumption itself—and global demand for clothes, shoes, and cheap products has continued to climb. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 23 May 2026

That overconsumption has made excess sodium a major public health concern since too much salt is linked to issues like high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 16 May 2026

As is the case with many medicinal herbs, overconsumption can be toxic, so proceed with caution. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overconsumption

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