overcharge

verb

over·​charge ˌō-vər-ˈchärj How to pronounce overcharge (audio)
overcharged; overcharging; overcharges

transitive verb

1
: to charge too much or too fully
2
: to fill too full
3

intransitive verb

: to make an excessive charge
overcharge noun

Examples of overcharge in a Sentence

He overcharges for car repairs. He overcharges his customers for car repairs. The store overcharged me for my skirt.
Recent Examples on the Web The Federal Trade Commission and 17 state attorney generals filed an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, alleging the e-commerce behemoth uses its position in the marketplace to inflate prices on other platforms, overcharge sellers and stifle competition. Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2023 The Federal Trade Commission and 17 state attorney generals filed an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon on Tuesday, alleging the e-commerce behemoth uses its position in the marketplace to inflate prices on other platforms, overcharge sellers and stifle competition. Time, 26 Sep. 2023 Francis, in turn, dominated contracting in the region and overcharged the Navy by at least $35 million, according to his own plea agreement. Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2023 Williams was charged with criminal insurance fraud in 2020, one of five towing company owners accused of overcharging insurance companies for towing jobs. Margaret Kates | Mkates@al.com, al, 10 Aug. 2023 Walmart is offering $5 gift cards to Alabama customers who were mistakenly overcharged sales tax on Friday when the state’s new sales tax reduction went into effect -- provided shoppers kept their receipt, the company announced Tuesday. Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 5 Sep. 2023 Every possible solution leaves at least one person feeling scorned (and overcharged). Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 25 Aug. 2023 In 2011, the firm agreed to pay a $108 million settlement after the Federal Trade Commission concluded the company had overcharged more than 450,000 homeowners. Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 19 July 2023 The agency said Wells Fargo also paid account holders about $40 million — including interest — to reimburse customers who’d been overcharged. Matt Egan, CNN, 25 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overcharge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overcharge was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near overcharge

Cite this Entry

“Overcharge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcharge. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

overcharge

verb
over·​charge ˌō-vər-ˈchärj How to pronounce overcharge (audio)
1
: to charge too much
2
: to fill or load too full
a cannon overcharged with powder
overcharge noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overcharge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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