as in to stereotype
to use so much as to make less appealing
she had overused that joke to the point where it was eliciting groans and not guffaws
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overuse
Just like credit scores today, which are, at best, meaningful heuristics but are grossly overused, the technology sometimes became a substitute for common sense.
—
Brian Hamilton, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2025
John Fisher/Getty Images Miller has predicted that Misiorowski will serve as the Brewers closer in the postseason, citing Milwaukee's concern for overusing him in the rotation.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
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
Lighting is often overused at night.
—Harold Wallace, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Brian Hamilton, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2025
John Fisher/Getty Images Miller has predicted that Misiorowski will serve as the Brewers closer in the postseason, citing Milwaukee's concern for overusing him in the rotation.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
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
Lighting is often overused at night.
—Harold Wallace, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overuse
Verb
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Mormons have also sometimes been falsely stereotyped as being polygamists because some of their early founders and members were, but the group banned polygamy in 1890.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Freep.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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Although dogs and cats are often stereotyped as natural enemies, animal behaviorists say that, with proper introductions and a calm environment, these species can form deep and lasting bonds.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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He’s not being overexposed, which should keep him relatively productive and healthy.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Sep. 2025
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We are not overexposed in China.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Omaha Productions of course, is the production company founded by Peyton Manning, which helped popularize the alternative broadcast format with the Monday Night Football Manningcast on ESPN.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
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William Howard Taft was the first president to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game in 1910 and, as legend had it, helped popularize the seventh-inning stretch.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His versions were full-blooded, with lush strings and reasonably large orchestras — and, purists alleged — vulgarizing distortions.—
BostonGlobe.com,
BostonGlobe.com,
28 Oct. 2019
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Ever since his rise to power, Trump has served as a vulgarizing agent.—
Leon Neyfakh,
Slate Magazine,
2 June 2017
Verb
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Once those reserves are exhausted, China may be tempted to broker a deal to buy American soybeans, but those hopes may wither when the Southern Hemisphere's harvest season begins early next year.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
26 Sep. 2025
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Each one of those alerts puts millions of lives on hold – part of Russia’s strategy of terrorizing and exhausting Ukraine’s civilian population.—
Daria Tarasova-Markina,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Price upon publish date of this article: $595 Quilted bags are perennially en vogue, since the fashion-forward bunch is always on the lookout for accessories that can add visual interest to their ensembles without overdoing it.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
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The worst part of this tax is that Illinois Democrats, in their desperation for more revenue, ended up encouraging more casual bettors to overdo it and get into financial trouble.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the film, one glowing maggot scores an oversized moth, wraps it up, then bores through its eye before eating its living brain.—
Ann Patchett,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
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Her mix of funky statement pieces and essentials strikes the ideal balance—proof that wearable doesn’t have to mean boring.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overuse. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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