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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overuse
Side effects can vary based on your overall condition and the specific vitamin or supplement overused.
—
Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 3 Mar. 2025
Desperate for youth and beauty, Elisabeth’s new younger self (who names herself Sue) quickly gets careless and starts overusing her time, which causes Elisabeth’s body to rot away.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
This could be due to cold, dry weather, sweating, not drinking enough water, or overusing strong actives (like exfoliating acids and retinol, which can potentially weaken your barrier).
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 11 Feb. 2025
While an important tool in the toolbox, stop, question and frisk clearly had been overused, and abused.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 3 Mar. 2025
Desperate for youth and beauty, Elisabeth’s new younger self (who names herself Sue) quickly gets careless and starts overusing her time, which causes Elisabeth’s body to rot away.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
This could be due to cold, dry weather, sweating, not drinking enough water, or overusing strong actives (like exfoliating acids and retinol, which can potentially weaken your barrier).
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 11 Feb. 2025
While an important tool in the toolbox, stop, question and frisk clearly had been overused, and abused.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overuse
Verb
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The result is a stunning look at Black suffering and Black joy, and how a group of people who have been stereotyped as avoiding water actually have a deep and meaningful history with the ocean.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
5 Mar. 2025
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Employers assume late-career professionals are more expensive due to the additional experience, and some may stereotype them as less adaptable.—
Caroline Ceniza-Levine,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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When a player like McKinstry begins receiving everyday at-bats, there is a risk of that player getting overexposed — too many miles on the Cadillac.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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Today’s fashion can sometimes feel overexposed: Fewer looks are being produced, and those that arrive simultaneously online, in editorials and advertising, and on the red carpet tend to garner more attention than anything else.—
Amanda Harlech,
Vogue,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Photo-Illustration: Wired Staff; Matthias Balk/Getty Images Starting today, Bluesky is rolling out a new verification system, complete with the familiar blue check marks popularized by Twitter.—
Kate Knibbs,
Wired News,
21 Apr. 2025
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Believed to have originated in 15th-century Italy as a card game used by nobility, the original deck was expanded and popularized by 18th-century French occultists; and again later in the 20th century, when modern tarot was born thanks to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, published in 1909.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 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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They will be exhausted after Grandma wrangling for 4 hours.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Their lineup has not exhausted opposing pitching staffs for a full series in a manner that has been their trademark for years.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But don’t overdo it—a study in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found three sets of 30 seconds of rolling daily is enough to improve symptoms.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
4 Apr. 2025
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Washing items with fabric softener can also help with wrinkle prevention, but don't overdo it.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The 13-mile-long San Jacinto Tunnel was bored through the mountain in the 1930s by a crew of about 1,200 men who worked day and night for six years, blasting rock and digging with machinery.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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The area was by then well known for its wine, and the tops of barrels sent by boat bore the initals CDR for coste du Rhône, an early sign of its provenance.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overuse. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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