overstress

1 of 2

verb

over·​stress ˌō-vər-ˈstres 

overstressed; overstressing

transitive verb

: to stress (someone or something) excessively: such as

a

: to subject (someone or something) to excessive physical or psychological stress

overstressed himself with too many commitments

… workers often overstress their muscles and tissues to the point where they become inflamed …

—Predicasts Technology Update

… the alternate action of the wind on either side of the church overstressed the intermediate external pillar, which failed.

—Mario Salvadori

b

: to place too much emphasis on (something) : overemphasize

overstress the possibility of an unlikely problem

The importance of this point can't be overstressed. = I can't overstress the importance of this point.

overstressed

ˌō-vər-ˈstrest 

adjective

feeling tired and overstressed

overstress

2 of 2

noun

over·​stress ˈō-vər-ˌstres 

: an excessive amount of physical or psychological stress

overstress on a building's supports

He learned a short left leg had resulted in overstress on the right foot.

—Hillary Gavan

While a certain level of stress can increase productivity, overstress causes us—at a deep, biological level—to start making choices that are unwise, unsafe, and even unethical.

—Brian Whetten

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1872, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined above