over·com·mer·cial·ize
ˌō-vər-kə-ˈmər-shə-ˌlīz 
overcommercialized; overcommercializing
: to commercialize (something) to an excessive degree
… opponents … fear the development will overcommercialize the waterfront area.—
Sam Gnerre
Sam Gnerre
overcommercialization
noun
plural overcommercializations
overcommercialization of holidays
over·com·mer·cial·i·za·tion
¦ō-vər-kə-ˌmər-sh(ə-)lə-¦zā-shən
-shə-ˌlī-¦zā-
variants
or over-commercialization
: excessive commercialization
the overcommercialization of holidays and sporting events
overcommercialize
verb, transitive + intransitive
overcommercialized; overcommercializing; overcommercializes
Examples of overcommercialize in a Sentence
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Annie Daly, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2023
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Verb
Hawaiian culture has been overcommercialized and appropriated for many decades, and one way to show respect for its beauty is to treat both the land and the people with extra care.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Overcommercialize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcommercialize. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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