overconsumption

noun

over·​con·​sump·​tion ˌō-vər-kən-ˈsəm(p)-shən How to pronounce overconsumption (audio)
: 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
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.
Creative activations, particularly ones that shock or disquiet, can make the problem of textile waste visible in a city where overconsumption is often glamorized. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 10 Oct. 2025 More research is needed to truly understand if overconsumption of apple cider vinegar might result in bone loss. Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 6 Oct. 2025 This concept is so interesting to me, especially now considering the amount of overconsumption in beauty right now. Kayla Greaves, Essence, 24 Sep. 2025 In a thoughtful nod to sustainability, the brand will simultaneously launch an edit of card holders crafted from excess leather from the handbags, allowing Aureum to repurpose materials while maintaining their commitment to reducing overconsumption. Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overconsumption

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overconsumption was in 1826

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overconsumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overconsumption. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!