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

With a lazy summer in our rear view and hectic school and job schedules around the bend, ‘tis the season for overworking ourselves. — Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 23 Sep. 2026

My doctor said my body had learned to cope, quietly overworking itself the whole time, which was likely what those stress panels over the years had been picking up on. — As Told To Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2026

Here, Boucheron wisely resisted overworking the conceit, letting the garden provide the backdrop. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Now, the Dodgers are carrying three catchers, trying not to overwork Smith in his first weeks back. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 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
• telework
• artwork

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