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 of overuse

Verb

• stereotype
• overexpose
• popularize
• vulgarize
• exhaust
• overdo
• bore

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

According to cleaning expert Scott Schrader, there are any number of cleaning errors that can cause damage or pose potential health risks, from overusing products to poor ventilation. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 20 Aug. 2026

While the analogy may be slightly overused, the challenge is that oil still needs to be refined into a useful end product. — Guy Courtin, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Noun

In an Oakland, California courtroom, attorneys for Meta have denied the accusations and sought to show that the company was sensitive to the risks of overuse, and tried to address them. — John Ruwitch, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Research published in the Lancet Public Health found that overuse is actually concentrated in high-income settings, with these countries consuming the largest volumes of antibiotics used to treat drug-resistant infections. — Peter Beyer, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overuse

• avenues
• barbecues
• cockatoos
• interviews
• kangaroos
• obliquus
• overshoes
• overviews
• residues
• revenues
• tyrannus
• accrues

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