overextend

verb

over·​ex·​tend ˌō-vər-ik-ˈstend 

overextended; overextending; overextends

transitive verb

: to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point

especially : to commit (oneself) financially beyond what can be paid

When the interest rate went up, he found he'd overextended himself.

overextension

ˌō-vər-ik-ˈsten(t)-shən 

noun

Examples of overextend in a Sentence

He overextended a muscle in his arm.

Recent Examples on the Web

Watch for overextending your resources when the Aries moon meets Jupiter. —Usa Today, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026

The Moon also pokes lucky Jupiter in your very own sign, which pushes you to show up boldly without overextending yourself. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026

The company’s fundamentals are solid, but valuations are important, and this one seems overextended. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Your compassionate touch keeps excitement alive without overextending anyone involved. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing overextend

• overextend oneself

Rhymes for overextend

• superintend
• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend

Kids Definition

overextend

verb

over·​ex·​tend ˌō-vər-ik-ˈstend 

: to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point

especially : to commit (oneself) financially beyond what can be paid

overextension

-ˈsten-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

overextend

transitive verb

over·​ex·​tend ˌō-və-rik-ˈstend 

: to extend too far

overextend the back

overextension

-ˈsten-chən 

noun