overweight

noun

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over·weight | \ ˈō-vər-ˌwāt

, sense 2 is usually ˌō-vər-ˈwāt \

Definition of overweight

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : weight over and above what is required or allowed

2 : excessive or burdensome weight

overweight

verb

over·weight | \ ˌō-vər-ˈwāt

overweighted; overweighting; overweights

Definition of overweight (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to give too much weight or consideration to

2 : to weight excessively

overweight

adjective

over·weight | \ ˌō-vər-ˈwāt

Definition of overweight (Entry 3 of 3)

: exceeding expected, normal, or proper weight especially : exceeding the bodily weight normal for one's age, height, and build

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about overweight

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Synonyms & Antonyms for overweight

Synonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Adjective

Examples of overweight in a Sentence

Adjective He looked to be at least 20 pounds overweight. an overweight person who had difficulty running even a short distance

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun But the group considered overweight definitely is overlapped by the roughly 147,000 health care workers and nursing home workers and residents who were the first entries on the vaccination list starting in December. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Extending vaccination to the overweight adds hundreds of thousands to inoculation pool," 18 Mar. 2021 Excess weight has been linked to a greater risk of developing more severe COVID-19 disease, and the United States already has among the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the world. — BostonGlobe.com, "How much weight did we gain during lockdowns? 2 pounds a month, study hints," 22 Mar. 2021 Excess weight has been linked to a greater risk of developing more severe Covid-19 disease, and the United States already has among the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the world. — New York Times, "How Much Weight Did We Gain During Lockdowns? 2 Pounds a Month, Study Hints," 22 Mar. 2021 The report, by the World Obesity Federation, found that 88 percent of deaths due to covid-19 were in countries where more than half the population is classified as overweight — including the United States. — Washington Post, "Covid-19 live updates Prioritize overweight people for vaccinations, says study showing strong link between obesity and virus deaths," 4 Mar. 2021 As a teenager in Australia, Cassandra Hili, founder and CEO of a PR and marketing agency called Millennium Communications, faced severe bullying for being overweight. — Meimei Fox, Forbes, "5 Ways Being Bullied Helped Shape This Young Entrepreneur’s Success," 2 Mar. 2021 While nearly 24 percent of adults in the District are considered obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half the city’s residents are considered at least overweight. — Washington Post, "D.C. revises rules, will open vaccines to young people with health problems March 1," 18 Feb. 2021 In actuality, Brooklyn now has to find a way to build chemistry — on and off the court — with an All-Star trio that includes an absent and mercurial point guard (Irving) and an overweight, ball-dominant former MVP (Harden). — oregonlive, "James Harden blockbuster trade reaction, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum’s historic night, rookie ladder, next on trade block: NBA news and notes," 14 Jan. 2021 Children who use online technologies many times a day are more likely to be sedentary, sleep-deprived and overweight; to struggle academically or behaviorally in school; and to self-report poorer quality of life and mental health. — Paul L. Morgan, The Conversation, "Some kindergartners are more likely to be heavy users of online tech later, according to new research," 12 Jan. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Most early platforms simply provided tools to build your own datasets, of which the cost of building and maintaining can overweight the value add. — Maxence Bouygues, Forbes, "How Cognitive Virtual Agents Can Revolutionize The Customer Support Industry," 4 Mar. 2021 In an outlook for 2021, a team including Andrew Sheets recommended investors overweight equities and corporate bonds against cash and government debt, and sell the U.S. dollar. — Joanna Ossinger, Fortune, "Dump the dollar, stick with stocks and corporate bonds, Morgan Stanley advises heading into 2021," 16 Nov. 2020 Their poll generally followed the 2016 election turnout model and did not overweight or underweight groups such as Republicans. — Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, "Final Zogby: Biden 49%, Trump 43%, no ‘hidden’ voters," 2 Nov. 2020 The strategists cut their recommendation on technology stocks to neutral and upgraded banking and auto shares to overweight. — Jackie Edwards, Bloomberg.com, "Goldman Says Tech to Lose Out to Beaten-Down Banks and Autos," 15 Oct. 2020 Stalin overweighted the political importance of a Soviet veto on the Security Council and underweighted the costs of the opprobrium his country would endure during episodes like the Berlin blockade and the Korean War. — Benn Steil, WSJ, "‘Eight Days at Yalta’ Review: A Complicated Betrayal," 4 Feb. 2020 In the current study, researchers found the mothers of only children were more likely to be overweight themselves. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, "Only children are more likely to be obese, study says," 6 Nov. 2019 Communication services was the largest overweighted sector among hedge funds, followed by material producers, consumer-discretionary shares and industrial companies. — Washington Post, "Glass-Half-Full Hedge Funds May Get Doused," 20 Sep. 2019 Emphasize tech among American holdings while overweighting non-tech overseas. — Ken Fisher, USA TODAY, "What the best approach to boost your 401(k)? Active, passive or a little of both?," 21 July 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The state is following CDC guidelines, which sets BMI benchmarks to determine who is overweight or obese. — BostonGlobe.com, "State’s new COVID-19 eligibility rules open the flood gates for people to seek vaccinations," 5 Apr. 2021 Researchers also found in a study on Arab Americans in California that 55.2% of the respondents were overweight or obese, another condition that can mean increased risk and severity of Covid-19 and death. — Mirna Alsharif, CNN, "The whitewashing of Arab Americans impacted by Covid-19 is a catastrophic public health issue, experts say," 3 Apr. 2021 There are many, including chronic lung diseases, heart conditions, being overweight or obese, and pregnancy. — Alison Knezevich, baltimoresun.com, "Nearly 1 million more Marylanders are now eligible for COVID vaccines. Here’s who’s covered by Phase 2B.," 30 Mar. 2021 The risk of severe illness has been documented among young adults who are overweight or obese, as well. — New York Times, "How Much Weight Did We Gain During Lockdowns? 2 Pounds a Month, Study Hints," 22 Mar. 2021 The update, prompted by the rising number of Americans who are overweight or obese, could result in millions more being eligible for the blood test as part of regular medical exams. — NBC News, "New diabetes guidelines lower screening age to 35 for some adults," 16 Mar. 2021 Not all people who have a high BMI are overweight or obese. — Chris Smith, BGR, "You might qualify for a coronavirus vaccine and not even know it – here’s how to find out," 16 Mar. 2021 Also newly eligible are those who are overweight or obese. — Eric Stirgus, ajc, "A look at major COVID-19 developments over the past week," 13 Mar. 2021 Since the main goal of taking an appetite suppressant is weight loss, anyone who is overweight or obese will benefit from taking a supplement. — Norcal Marketing, Chron, "Best Appetite Suppressants 2021: Top 5 Hunger Control Pills That Work," 4 Feb. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overweight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

8 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Overweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overweight. Accessed 17 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for overweight

overweight

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of overweight

: weighing more than the normal or expected amount : too heavy

See the full definition for overweight in the English Language Learners Dictionary

overweight

adjective

over·weight | \ ˌō-vər-ˈwāt

Kids Definition of overweight

: weighing more than is normal, necessary, or allowed an overweight suitcase

overweight

adjective

over·weight | \ -ˈwāt

Medical Definition of overweight

: weighing in excess of the normal for one's age, height, and build overweight adolescents overweight adults typically have a body mass index of 25 to 29.9

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