over·stretch
ˈō-vər-ˌstrech 
plural overstretches
: the act or an instance of stretching something beyond normal limits
an overstretch of political power
… a classic case of military and economic overstretch.—
Robert G. Patman
Robert G. Patman
over·stretch
ˌō-vər-ˈstrech
overstretched; overstretching
: to stretch (something or someone) to excess or beyond normal limits
Worsted yarn, and any yarn inclined to "kink" should be weighted slightly as it dries, but take care not to overstretch the wool.—Eileen Hobden
Eileen Hobdentemperature changes causing the tire to overstretch
They overstretched [=overextended] themselves financially.
Too few staff means overstretched [=overburdened] crews and patients waiting for longer.—Christina McAnea
Christina McAnea
Examples of overstretch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebFrank Costigliola, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2023
Reuters, Fortune Europe, 20 Nov. 2023
He was already overstretched and underfunded—and afraid that further escalation on the border could propel a hundred thousand more people into Tyre alone.
—Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2023
However, anyone can tear their Achilles tendon – which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone – if the tendon is overstretched.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 12 Sep. 2023
Then came the pandemic, which found U.S. manufacturers at the mercy of distant and overstretched supply chains.
—Valerie J. Karplus, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2021
That would place additional demand on a network of clinics that is already overstretched, particularly in states that have become destinations for people who must travel for care.
—Jamie Ducharme, Time, 18 Aug. 2023
Calf strains happen when the calf muscles get overstretched.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 28 July 2023
But Iran’s electricity grid is overstretched, and to pump more of the gas sitting underground and repair the grid, the government needs foreign investment and technology, which have been blocked for years by Western sanctions imposed because of Iran’s nuclear buildup.
—Leily Nikounazar, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2023
The collapse of the Syrian economy and growing discontent among Assad loyalists—as well as a Turkish military intervention that has pro-regime forces badly overstretched—have created an opening.
—Jennifer Cafarella, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2020
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Noun
The overriding issue here is what the Yale historian Paul Kennedy called imperial overstretch.
—Frank Costigliola, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2023
Verb
The country is facing long-term headwinds from an ageing population, chronically weak growth and overstretched public services, amplified by a surge in borrowing costs.
—Reuters, Fortune Europe, 20 Nov. 2023
He was already overstretched and underfunded—and afraid that further escalation on the border could propel a hundred thousand more people into Tyre alone.
—Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2023
However, anyone can tear their Achilles tendon – which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone – if the tendon is overstretched.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 12 Sep. 2023
Then came the pandemic, which found U.S. manufacturers at the mercy of distant and overstretched supply chains.
—Valerie J. Karplus, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2021
That would place additional demand on a network of clinics that is already overstretched, particularly in states that have become destinations for people who must travel for care.
—Jamie Ducharme, Time, 18 Aug. 2023
Calf strains happen when the calf muscles get overstretched.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 28 July 2023
But Iran’s electricity grid is overstretched, and to pump more of the gas sitting underground and repair the grid, the government needs foreign investment and technology, which have been blocked for years by Western sanctions imposed because of Iran’s nuclear buildup.
—Leily Nikounazar, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2023
The collapse of the Syrian economy and growing discontent among Assad loyalists—as well as a Turkish military intervention that has pro-regime forces badly overstretched—have created an opening.
—Jennifer Cafarella, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2020
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overstretch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing overstretch
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Cite this Entry
“Overstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overstretch. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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