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 KaufmanExamples 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
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Don’t Overdo the Booze While a preflight or in-flight cocktail might sound like a good idea to calm jangled nerves, both experts caution against overusing alcohol to manage anxiety in the air.
—Jill Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 June 2026
Scattered throughout the canyon, an ecologist, bug scientists, birders and advocates for Glen Canyon were working to document the ecosystems emerging as Lake Powell’s water levels have dropped after decades of drought and water overuse.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
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Verb
The fastest ways to lose that hotel feel include overusing plug-ins, which read as synthetic, and mixing too many competing fragrances at once.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Don’t Overdo the Booze While a preflight or in-flight cocktail might sound like a good idea to calm jangled nerves, both experts caution against overusing alcohol to manage anxiety in the air.
—Jill Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
Noun
Running from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to Mexico’s Gulf of California, the Colorado River is being pushed to the breaking point by years of drought and overuse.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 June 2026
Scattered throughout the canyon, an ecologist, bug scientists, birders and advocates for Glen Canyon were working to document the ecosystems emerging as Lake Powell’s water levels have dropped after decades of drought and water overuse.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Cite this Entry
“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overuse. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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