overpayment

noun

over·​pay·​ment ˌō-vər-ˈpā-mənt 

plural overpayments

: payment that exceeds what is necessary

overpayment of taxes

… implemented electronic payrolls for all employees to prevent overpayment …

—Jocelyn Brumbaugh

also : an amount that is paid in excess

… two taxpayers could not get refunds of tax overpayments dating back more than four years …

—Samantha McCaughren

Examples of overpayment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tampa right-shot defenseman Darren Raddysh could also be in line for some overpayment as well. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026

Jeff Schweinfest, Denver What is causing overpayments in the first place? —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 8 June 2026

This wasn't taken from education, this wasn't taken from transportation, this was an overpayment by the folks of Pennsylvania. —Christopher Derose, CBS News, 4 June 2026

For this reason, accurate tracking and promptly reporting earnings is critical to avoiding overpayments and maintaining compliance. —Diane Winiarski, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overpayment

• underpayment
• claimant
• payment
• copayment
• embayment
• nonpayment
• prepayment
• repayment

Legal Definition

overpayment

noun

over·​pay·​ment

ˈō-vər-ˌpā-mənt

: payment in excess of what is due