overpayment

noun

over·​pay·​ment ˌō-vər-ˈpā-mənt 

plural overpayments

: payment that exceeds what is necessary

overpayment of taxes

… implemented electronic payrolls for all employees to prevent overpayment …

—Jocelyn Brumbaugh

also : an amount that is paid in excess

… two taxpayers could not get refunds of tax overpayments dating back more than four years …

—Samantha McCaughren

Examples of overpayment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Who, if anyone, in state government is responsible for the overpayments? —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026

Civil suit In late 2024, the Florida Division of Emergency Management sued Trinity in civil court over the same overpayment, and her family’s healthcare company agreed to pay back the full $5 million in installments over the next few years, according to the settlement. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026

This applies even if the overpayment wasn’t your fault. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026

Investigators also completed 22 civil recoveries totaling nearly $800,000 in fraudulent overpayments. —Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overpayment

• underpayment
• claimant
• payment
• copayment
• embayment
• nonpayment
• prepayment
• repayment

Legal Definition

overpayment

noun

over·​pay·​ment

ˈō-vər-ˌpā-mənt

: payment in excess of what is due