overuse

1 of 2

verb

over·​use ˌō-vər-ˈyüz 

overused; overusing

transitive verb

: to use (something) too much : to use (something) excessively or too frequently

a word that has been greatly overused

At best, gatekeepers can keep everyone from overusing costly high-tech treatments when primary care is enough.

—Marilyn Chase

overuse

2 of 2

noun

over·​use ˌō-vər-ˈyüs 

: too much use : excessive or too frequent use

the overuse of antibiotics

athletes suffering from overuse injuries

His overuse of four-letter words—often a dozen per page—may accurately mirror a macho world where cussing is cool, but it is tedious to read.

—Frederick Kaufman

Synonyms

Verb

• hackney
• overexpose
• stereotype
• vulgarize

Examples of overuse in a Sentence

Verb

she had overused that joke to the point where it was eliciting groans and not guffaws

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

That flower was the millennial aesthetic before people started overusing the word aesthetic. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 1 July 2024

Like always, be gentle and don't apply too much pressure or overuse the ice roller (about 2 minutes on each side of the face is more than enough). —Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 17 June 2024

Noun

Advertisement Paying growers to leave fields dry and fallow for part of the year represents a major new step by the district to help boost the levels of the river’s reservoirs, which have been depleted by chronic overuse, years of drought and higher temperatures caused by climate change. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2024

Patients also have modest copayments to deter the overuse of services and drugs. —William C. Hsiao, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

overuse

1 of 2 verb

over·​use

-ˈyüz

: to use too much

an overused phrase

overuse

2 of 2 noun

over·​use

-ˈyüs

: too much use