oversaturate

verb

over·​sat·​u·​rate ˌō-vər-ˈsa-chə-ˌrāt How to pronounce oversaturate (audio)
oversaturated; oversaturating

transitive verb

: to saturate to an excessive degree
… since the company went public, it's been opening so many stores that it's at risk of oversaturating its own market …Angela Mulholland
… the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge … slipped several feet in February when storms oversaturated the underlying soil.Kurtis Alexander
… settings that don't oversaturate colors or look too dim.Dieter Bohn
also : supersaturate
oversaturated the water with salt
oversaturated adjective
… delivers impressive image quality. Colors are bright and realistic without being oversaturated. Luisa Simone
Perhaps you remember a chemistry experiment from high school: You dissolve a salt in hot water, let the solution cool down, put a small crystal in the now oversaturated solution—then all of a sudden crystals form. Bert J. M. de Vries
oversaturation adjective
oversaturation of the market with too many action films
… colors usually struck a nice balance between accurate and pleasant oversaturation. Mitt Jones

Examples of oversaturate 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.
In a world oversaturated with noise, this level of artistic conviction reminds us that the boldest creators resist stasis. Thania Garcia, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025 In a climate oversaturated with digital information, the question of how May stays current in trends is critical to her craft. Robert Lang, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025 As white-collar jobs become increasingly oversaturated, the posting highlights how lucrative side hustles are taking place not only in corporate boardrooms but also in the living rooms of the ultra-wealthy. Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025 If your French doors are made from solid wood, do not oversaturate them. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025 This schedule is oversaturated. Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 In a culture oversaturated with drops, brands, and déjà vu collabs, visibility alone doesn’t cut it. Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 The streetwear market is oversaturated, but Seventh Avenue Brand has been ushering in an exciting era. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 26 Aug. 2025 Mega-cruises and must-visit lists circulating on social media have left some Caribbean islands oversaturated with tourists. Kristin Braswell, AFAR Media, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oversaturate was in 1745

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oversaturate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oversaturate. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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