over·stress
ˌō-vər-ˈstres 
overstressed; overstressing
: 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
Predicasts Technology Update… the alternate action of the wind on either side of the church overstressed the intermediate external pillar, which failed.—Mario Salvadori
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.
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
Hillary GavanWhile 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
Brian WhettenExamples of overstress in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Harlan Selesnick, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
So many women are overworked and overstressed and on the verge of collective burnout.
—Audrey Ingram, People.com, 3 June 2025
Only 8 of those columns were overstressed by more than 10%.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025
These strategies can improve your overall health and avoid overstressing your immune system.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 May 2025
Instead of overstressing purely technical skills, companies must embrace cross-disciplinary thinking—harnessing experts capable of enabling the convergence of technology and human judgment.
—John Schneider, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
That can overstress the components, which causes the power steering to fail next time the car slows to a complete stop.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
Many assessments overlook this factor, and businesses must overstress their staff to meet cybersecurity demands.
—Dewayne Hart, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Soon after the first fire sparked on Jan. 7, reports and concerns began to emerge that the fire hydrants were running dry, after being overstressed without aircraft support.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 12 Jan. 2025
ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
Tesla said that if this overstress condition occurs while the vehicle is in motion, the steering remains unaffected, and a visual alert is triggered.
—Reuters, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
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.
Verb
When overstressed, the tendon can become inflamed, resulting in pain, stiffness and weakness.
—Harlan Selesnick, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
So many women are overworked and overstressed and on the verge of collective burnout.
—Audrey Ingram, People.com, 3 June 2025
Only 8 of those columns were overstressed by more than 10%.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025
These strategies can improve your overall health and avoid overstressing your immune system.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 May 2025
Instead of overstressing purely technical skills, companies must embrace cross-disciplinary thinking—harnessing experts capable of enabling the convergence of technology and human judgment.
—John Schneider, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
That can overstress the components, which causes the power steering to fail next time the car slows to a complete stop.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
Many assessments overlook this factor, and businesses must overstress their staff to meet cybersecurity demands.
—Dewayne Hart, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Soon after the first fire sparked on Jan. 7, reports and concerns began to emerge that the fire hydrants were running dry, after being overstressed without aircraft support.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
Depending on how much of an overstress [there is], an invasive level of inspection might be required.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
Tesla said that if this overstress condition occurs while the vehicle is in motion, the steering remains unaffected, and a visual alert is triggered.
—Reuters, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overstress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overstress. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share