over·use
ˌō-vər-ˈyüz 
overused; overusing
: 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
Marilyn Chase
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
Frederick Kaufman
Examples of overuse in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebMaja Zelihic, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
The concern that prosecutors may be overusing the statute is reasonable.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2024
Medications that can be overused—and consequently cause more headaches—include:15
Acetaminophen
Aspirin
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Opioids
Sleep medications
Triptans—commonly used for migraines
10.
—Amanda MacMillan, Health, 26 Feb. 2024
Do your best not to get into debt by overusing credit cards.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2024
Using too much pressure can damage skin, while overusing the extractor can actually backfire, stripping skin and kicking oil production into overdrive.
—Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 15 Feb. 2024
Risk factors that make chronic migraines more likely include obesity, overusing medications, asthma, and poor sleep habits, Dr. Cowan says.
—Colleen Stinchcombe, Health, 17 Jan. 2024
These terms have specific meanings that are legitimately useful for helping people make choices about their food, but they have been overused into oblivion.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 8 Jan. 2024
Not all tasting menus require extensive narration; if anything, narrative is overused in fancy restaurants, weighing down otherwise nimble culinary exercises with talk, talk, talk.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2023
Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
The styles also protect the hair from the overuse of heat from styling tools such as flat irons.
—Chandelis Duster, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024
The permits are incredibly limited by the local Havasupai tribe to prevent overuse and overcrowding, allowing for travelers who do score tickets to experience this sacred space in all its glory.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
Pressure on food companies to address the risks of antibiotic overuse in livestock is growing.
—Anagha Babu, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2024
There are several pitfalls that can occur from the overuse of anger and fear in marketing, such as negative emotional valence in your customer base, bad brand reputation, loss of brand trust and polarization.
—Leslie Poston, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
But the unfortunate truth is that a lot of allegedly hydrating balms and ointments actually make your lips more dry, leading to an endless cycle of overuse.
—Carina Finn, Bon Appétit, 18 Jan. 2024
And additionally, a pair of wet winters doesn't solve the long-term problem: The Colorado River has been in crisis because of a multi-decade drought in the West intensified by climate change, rising demand and overuse.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2024
Osteoarthritis Wear and tear from aging, overuse, or an injury can cause our joint tissues to break down, which can lead to pain and stiffness—a.k.a.
—Sarah Klein, SELF, 5 Mar. 2024
Verb
This experiential learning is unique and should not be overused in the business curriculum.
—Maja Zelihic, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
The concern that prosecutors may be overusing the statute is reasonable.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2024
Medications that can be overused—and consequently cause more headaches—include:15
Acetaminophen
Aspirin
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Opioids
Sleep medications
Triptans—commonly used for migraines
10.
—Amanda MacMillan, Health, 26 Feb. 2024
Do your best not to get into debt by overusing credit cards.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2024
Using too much pressure can damage skin, while overusing the extractor can actually backfire, stripping skin and kicking oil production into overdrive.
—Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 15 Feb. 2024
Risk factors that make chronic migraines more likely include obesity, overusing medications, asthma, and poor sleep habits, Dr. Cowan says.
—Colleen Stinchcombe, Health, 17 Jan. 2024
These terms have specific meanings that are legitimately useful for helping people make choices about their food, but they have been overused into oblivion.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 8 Jan. 2024
Not all tasting menus require extensive narration; if anything, narrative is overused in fancy restaurants, weighing down otherwise nimble culinary exercises with talk, talk, talk.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2023
Noun
The Colorado — long viewed as a water lifeline for the West — has been sapped by drought, overuse and climate change, and California and six other states are in tense negotiations about how to permanently cut back.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
The styles also protect the hair from the overuse of heat from styling tools such as flat irons.
—Chandelis Duster, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024
The permits are incredibly limited by the local Havasupai tribe to prevent overuse and overcrowding, allowing for travelers who do score tickets to experience this sacred space in all its glory.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
Pressure on food companies to address the risks of antibiotic overuse in livestock is growing.
—Anagha Babu, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2024
There are several pitfalls that can occur from the overuse of anger and fear in marketing, such as negative emotional valence in your customer base, bad brand reputation, loss of brand trust and polarization.
—Leslie Poston, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
But the unfortunate truth is that a lot of allegedly hydrating balms and ointments actually make your lips more dry, leading to an endless cycle of overuse.
—Carina Finn, Bon Appétit, 18 Jan. 2024
And additionally, a pair of wet winters doesn't solve the long-term problem: The Colorado River has been in crisis because of a multi-decade drought in the West intensified by climate change, rising demand and overuse.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2024
Osteoarthritis Wear and tear from aging, overuse, or an injury can cause our joint tissues to break down, which can lead to pain and stiffness—a.k.a.
—Sarah Klein, SELF, 5 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overuse.' 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 overuse
Cite this Entry
“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overuse. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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