overharvest

verb

over·har·vest ˌō-vər-ˈhär-vəst

overharvested; overharvesting

transitive + intransitive

: to harvest (something) excessively and especially to a harmful degree

overharvesting oysters to the point of depletion

It would therefore be in the common interest of all consumers to exercise restraint and not overharvest.—

Jared Diamond

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Don’t overharvest or deplete. —

Kristina Rizga, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2020 Additionally, the dolphins are threatened by pollution, and commercial fishing operations overharvest the mullet. —

Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overharvest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.