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

Sticking to one type of alcoholic beverage may help reduce overconsumption, although research on this is mixed. —Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

So managing our fisheries better and controlling overconsumption of endangered species is critical work that needs doing. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 4 July 2025

And for better or worse, Texans take home the prize of overconsumption during the Super Bowl. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Reversing their overconsumption will require structural shifts in how food is produced, distributed and consumed in the U.S. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overconsumption

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