overcapacity
noun
over·ca·pac·i·ty
ˌō-vər-kə-ˈpa-sə-tē 
-ˈpa-stē
: excessive capacity for production or services in relation to demand
Examples of overcapacity in a Sentence
The airlines are lowering their prices because of an overcapacity of seats.
Recent Examples on the Web
China’s industrial firms saw their profits jump sharply in the first two months this year, thanks to Beijing’s push to curb overcapacity and bruising price wars sweeping across sectors.
—
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
That shift is already benefitting China, The Washington Post noted, given its world-beating green-tech sector, which has suffered from overcapacity in recent years.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Picture an army of worthy USTR officials solemnly poring over Bangladesh’s structural overcapacity in manufacturing with all the seriousness of purpose that the exercise demands.
—Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, China’s economy has in recent years grappled with a prolonged property crisis, weak domestic demand, and industrial overcapacity that resulted in deflationary pressures.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overcapacity
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
That shift is already benefitting China, The Washington Post noted, given its world-beating green-tech sector, which has suffered from overcapacity in recent years.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Picture an army of worthy USTR officials solemnly poring over Bangladesh’s structural overcapacity in manufacturing with all the seriousness of purpose that the exercise demands.
—Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, China’s economy has in recent years grappled with a prolonged property crisis, weak domestic demand, and industrial overcapacity that resulted in deflationary pressures.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overcapacity
Cite this Entry
“Overcapacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcapacity. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
