overstrain

verb

over·strain | \ ˌō-vər-ˈstrān

How to pronounce overstrain (audio)

\

overstrained; overstraining

Definition of overstrain

transitive verb

: to strain (someone or something) beyond a maximum tolerable limit overstrained herself on the treadmill overstrain a muscle overstrained the steel, which developed a crack He said every nerve had been overstrained in some way, and the whole system must sleep torpid a while.— Charlotte Brontë … officials said the aid would be focused only on its banking sector … That would be crucial to avoid overstraining the eurozone's rescue funds …— Luke Baker and Annika Breidthardt She doesn't overstrain the metaphor …— Mark O'Connell

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The first known use of overstrain was in 1578

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overstrain

noun

over·strain | \ -ˈstrān

\

Medical Definition of overstrain

: excessive mental or physical strain also : a condition resulting from this

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