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
Jenny McCoy, SELF, 25 Aug. 2025
The old Formula One adage that the first person a driver has to beat is their teammate may be overused.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Robert B. Tucker, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The research, published in the International Journal of Business Communication, shows that the overuse of jargon disrupts how employees process information, lowers their confidence and reduces their willingness to seek or share information in the workplace.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overuse
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Verb
That’s important, since many people make the mistake—both in the gym and daily life—of shrugging their shoulders up to their ears, which overuses the upper traps and elevates the scapula.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 25 Aug. 2025
The old Formula One adage that the first person a driver has to beat is their teammate may be overused.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
On the other hand, overuse can foster social isolation, constant comparison, and disengagement from the physical world.
—Robert B. Tucker, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The research, published in the International Journal of Business Communication, shows that the overuse of jargon disrupts how employees process information, lowers their confidence and reduces their willingness to seek or share information in the workplace.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Cite this Entry
“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overuse. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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