overreliance
noun
over·re·li·ance
ˌō-vər-ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s 
: the act or state of relying on something or someone too much : excessive reliance
One of my top priorities next year is to have an energy policy that begins to address all facets of our overreliance on fossil fuels.—
Barack Obama
Barack ObamaI shy away from prescribing sleeping pills … to avoid overreliance on them.—Andrew Weil
Andrew WeilExamples of overreliance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
America must avoid overreliance on renewables by sidelining other energy sources through punitive lawsuits.
—Albert R. Wynn, Baltimore Sun, 23 July 2025
European political and military officials broadly acknowledge the continent's long-standing overreliance on the U.S., pledging to shore up its defense industry through dramatic hikes in investment.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
Capacity and infrastructure have long cemented China's monopoly on toy production, although increasing geopolitical risks and the dangers of an overreliance on one country exposed during the Covid-19 pandemic have propelled some toymakers to diversify.
—Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 23 July 2025
However, in the financial sector, there is still a palpable tension between the promise of automation and the fear of overreliance on machines.
—Chidambaram Bhat, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
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Albert R. Wynn, Baltimore Sun, 23 July 2025
European political and military officials broadly acknowledge the continent's long-standing overreliance on the U.S., pledging to shore up its defense industry through dramatic hikes in investment.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
Capacity and infrastructure have long cemented China's monopoly on toy production, although increasing geopolitical risks and the dangers of an overreliance on one country exposed during the Covid-19 pandemic have propelled some toymakers to diversify.
—Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 23 July 2025
However, in the financial sector, there is still a palpable tension between the promise of automation and the fear of overreliance on machines.
—Chidambaram Bhat, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overreliance
Cite this Entry
“Overreliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overreliance. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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