overwork

verb

over·​work ˌō-vər-ˈwərk 

overworked; overworking; overworks

transitive verb

1

: to cause to work too hard, too long, or to exhaustion

overworked the horses

2

a

: to work too much on

overwork bread dough

b

: to make excessive use of

overworked tunes

intransitive verb

: to work too much or too long : overdo

overwork noun

Examples of overwork in a Sentence

The whole crew seemed exhausted, probably from overworking.

The captain routinely overworked the crew.

He overworks the melody in the song.

If you overwork the dough, the bread will be tough.

Recent Examples on the Web

Because of the rush of federal inmates, Banks said corrections officers are overworked and overtime costs are way up in order to provide adequate security for inmates. —Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026

Costs are crushing families and pushing parents out of the workforce, while workers are underpaid and overworked. —Ana María Archila, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026

Dirty filters cost more to use and overwork the equipment. —Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 23 Jan. 2026

Limestone is used throughout for consistency and durability, while custom banquette seating and restrained decorative details keep the spaces comfortable without feeling overworked. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for overwork

• bodywork
• handiwork
• ironwork
• latticework
• masterwork
• metalwork
• needlework
• openwork
• paperwork
• subnetwork
• artwork
• beadwork

Kids Definition

overwork

verb

over·​work -ˈwərk 

1

: to work or cause to work too hard or long

overworked the crew

2

: to use too much

overworked phrases

overwork noun

Medical Definition

overwork

transitive verb

over·​work ˌō-vər-ˈwərk 

: to cause to work too hard, too long, or to exhaustion

intransitive verb

: to work too much or too long

overwork noun