overtax

verb

over·​tax ˌō-vər-ˈtaks How to pronounce overtax (audio)
overtaxed; overtaxing

transitive verb

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.
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

Examples of overtax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
New York has not had to overtax Trocheck, Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren, Mika Zibanejad or MVP candidate Artemi Panarin. Stephen Whyno, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2024 Still, much uncertainty loomed, with the manager remaining wary of overtaxing his bullpen for a potential Game 7 — while also not wanting to squander a chance to end the series in six. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024 And this season, with the rotation in tatters and the bullpen overtaxed, the more time off the better. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2024 Intelligence agencies are, to put it mildly, overtaxed. Amy Zegart, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2022 See all Example Sentences for overtax 

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overtax was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near overtax

Cite this Entry

“Overtax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtax. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

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