overtax
verb
over·tax
ˌō-vər-ˈtaks 
overtaxed; overtaxing
1
: to tax (someone or something) too heavily or beyond what is due
revenues raised through overtaxing the middle class
2
: to lay too heavy a burden or demand upon (someone or something)
exercises that overtax the muscles
overtaxing my patience
A fancy terminal with enough gates for all the planes, a work force that is alternately overtaxed and underemployed, and a high-tech baggage system all create high fixed costs.—
Marc Levinson et al.
Marc Levinson et al.
overtaxation
noun
Homelessness is worse here than anywhere in the country. The cost of living is out of control. Overtaxation is rampant. Infrastructure is crumbling.
—Eric Ryan
Eric Ryan
Examples of overtax in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
More than 92% — of the 173,000 Detroit homes reviewed — were found to be overtaxed by an average of $3,800.
—Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 28 Mar. 2024
The situation at the border has become an increasingly critical issue for the 2024 presidential election, as the number of people illegally crossing into the U.S. continues to soar, overtaxing the nation’s immigration system, as well as cities and state across the nation.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024
If Batum and Melton aren't back after the All-Star break, the Sixers might want some extra veteran depth like Young just to soak up minutes and avoid overtaxing their other rotation players.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
But none of them overtaxed the mind, or indeed taxed it at all.
—Kyle Smith, WSJ, 6 Dec. 2023
The San Diego shelter was at 160 percent capacity, its staff was overtaxed, and many of the small animals had been there or in foster homes for nearly a year, according to Weitzman.
—Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
But with aquifers already overtaxed across the Southwest, the region is also coping with the first-ever limitations on how much water can be diverted from the Colorado, which went into effect after Lake Mead dropped below 35 percent full in 2021.
—Kyle Paoletta, The New Republic, 30 Oct. 2023
Local officials and residents across Greater Boston have regularly fretted that new development overtaxes their towns with more children in their schools, more cars on their roads, and more demand on fire or police services.
—Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Sep. 2023
Property tax foreclosures are a controversial issue, particularly in Detroit, where tens of thousands of homes were overtaxed and then foreclosed.
—Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 29 Aug. 2023
Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 28 Mar. 2024
The situation at the border has become an increasingly critical issue for the 2024 presidential election, as the number of people illegally crossing into the U.S. continues to soar, overtaxing the nation’s immigration system, as well as cities and state across the nation.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024
If Batum and Melton aren't back after the All-Star break, the Sixers might want some extra veteran depth like Young just to soak up minutes and avoid overtaxing their other rotation players.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
But none of them overtaxed the mind, or indeed taxed it at all.
—Kyle Smith, WSJ, 6 Dec. 2023
The San Diego shelter was at 160 percent capacity, its staff was overtaxed, and many of the small animals had been there or in foster homes for nearly a year, according to Weitzman.
—Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
But with aquifers already overtaxed across the Southwest, the region is also coping with the first-ever limitations on how much water can be diverted from the Colorado, which went into effect after Lake Mead dropped below 35 percent full in 2021.
—Kyle Paoletta, The New Republic, 30 Oct. 2023
Local officials and residents across Greater Boston have regularly fretted that new development overtaxes their towns with more children in their schools, more cars on their roads, and more demand on fire or police services.
—Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Sep. 2023
Property tax foreclosures are a controversial issue, particularly in Detroit, where tens of thousands of homes were overtaxed and then foreclosed.
—Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 29 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overtax.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near overtax
Cite this Entry
“Overtax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtax. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share