overuse

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈyüz How to pronounce overuse (audio)
Definition of overusenext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overuse Don’t Overdo the Booze While a preflight or in-flight cocktail might sound like a good idea to calm jangled nerves, both experts caution against overusing alcohol to manage anxiety in the air. — Jill Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026 The Mets need to be careful about potentially overusing him and their other high-leverage relievers such as lefty Brooks Raley and right-hander Luke Weaver. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 3 June 2026 Baking soda does not make tomatoes sweeter and can harm plants if overused. — Cori Sears, The Spruce, 30 May 2026 While most treatments are safe, ProPublica’s investigation found that there has been widespread concern among medical experts that some doctors are overusing procedures on patients who may not need them. — Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for overuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overuse
  1. stereotype
  2. overexpose
  3. popularize
  4. vulgarize
  5. exhaust
  6. overdo
  7. bore
Verb
  • Along with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, the foundation also partners with schools and community institutions to educate the challenging effects of stereotyping, unconscious bias, and representation imbalance of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and persons with disabilities.
    — Carole Horst, Variety, 21 June 2026
  • Brousson jokingly stereotyped the Waffle House staffers as having active warrants, picking their nose with the spatulas and smoking cigarettes while battling third-degree grease burns.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026
Definition of stereotype
Verb
  • At 3x, the Razr+'s image processing tried to save the shot by overexposing the dish, but unfortunately, my dinner just looks like an inedible oil painting with a glossy sheen.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026
  • They can get dehydrated and overexposed to the sun and are unable to cool down.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Definition of overexpose
Verb
  • Why Turkey became associated with hair restoration Turkey’s role in hair restoration grew over time as clinics performed a high volume of procedures and helped popularize techniques that are now used in many markets.
    — Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
  • Though romance stories have long powered the microdrama industry, a host of creatives is trying to popularize bite-sized stories in other genres — from true crime to anime to thrillers to, now, faith and family.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026
Definition of popularize
Verb
  • His versions were full-blooded, with lush strings and reasonably large orchestras — and, purists alleged — vulgarizing distortions.
    — BostonGlobe.com, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Oct. 2019
  • Ever since his rise to power, Trump has served as a vulgarizing agent.
    — Leon Neyfakh, Slate Magazine, 2 June 2017
Definition of vulgarize
Verb
  • About half of Florida's 242 death row inmates have exhausted their appeals and could see their death warrant issued at any time.
    — CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • Norton was deeply moved by audience members who spoke to him after, but he was also exhausted by the emotional and physical strain of the show.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
Definition of exhaust
Verb
  • Be gentle with yourself over the next few days and don’t overdo it.
    — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
  • Taylor and Travis both love to put on a show, both love to overdo it.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
Definition of overdo
Verb
  • Trying to achieve broad appeal via franchises alone gets boring quickly.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
  • Perhaps Klassen got bored with his signature style and removed the eyes from the clock and table and boots in this book.
    — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
Definition of bore

Browse Nearby Words

overturns
overuse
overused
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Cite this Entry

“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overuse. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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