overused

Definition of overusednext
past tense of overuse
as in popularized
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

Relevance

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 overused But in science, they have been especially overused. Clarissa Brincat, Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026 Turning Up the Heat Too High Too Fast High heat has its place, but it is often overused. Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026 Rights groups warn the measure, introduced in March 2025, is now being overused by authorities. ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026 Derma rollers must be cleaned properly and not overused. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026 Dallas’ blue line has more depth in terms of numbers, but its top three producers have been overused. Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026 So, if the idea of culture is overused, its importance tells the path to success — or failure. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026 Lastly, Abbas notes that, like any exfoliant, citric acid can cause dryness, irritation, or sensitivity if overused or used in very high concentrations. Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 14 Jan. 2026 Gregg agrees that gray has been overused as a whole. Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overused
Verb
  • And overexposed to real estate.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Valuations for the funds last month dropped to their lowest since 2022 amid concerns that the lenders may be overexposed to software businesses under threat from AI disruption.
    Olivia Fishlow, Bloomberg, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • All borrowing options will be exhausted by February, Fine said.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
  • The starting quarterback competition is coming down to returning players Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall, as Jalon Daniels has exhausted his eligibility and Rice transfer Chase Jenkins recovers from an injury.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • The pregnant body, unhidden Bolton argues that the pregnant body has either been ignored or stereotyped in art.
    Jocelyn Noveck, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • Bolton argues that the pregnant body has either been ignored or stereotyped in art.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • Getting bored with rewearing the same pair of jeans over and over again?
    Sydney Pulaski, Glamour, 8 May 2026
  • After being bored and bopped to death by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, Sunday proved to be a breath of fresh air, at least as far as pace goes.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overused. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on overused

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster