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Definitions

overuse

[oh-ver-yooz, oh-ver-yoos] / ˌoʊ vərˈyuz, ˈoʊ vərˈyus /
NOUN
wear and tear
Synonyms
STRONGEST
depletion depreciation erosion
WEAK
ablation attrition consumption decrement dissipation hard wear ravages of time wearing away weathering
VERB
overdo
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exaggerate overestimate overplay overrate overreach overstate overvalue
STRONG
amplify belabor fatigue hype magnify overburden overindulge overload overtax overtire overwork pressure puff stretch
WEAK
be intemperate bite off too much do to death drive oneself go overboard go too far lay it on make federal case not know when to stop pile on run into the ground run riot strain oneself talk big wear down wear oneself out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
play down
STRONG
compress decrease lessen
WEAK
ignore neglect
VERB
overplay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exaggerate maximize overdo overemphasize overstate
STRONG
accent accentuate dramatize hyperbolize magnify mug overact overdraw overstress overwork stretch
WEAK
blow out of proportion get carried away ham it up labor at lay it on thick point up show off
Antonyms
WEAK
play down
VERB
tax
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exhaust overtax weaken
STRONG
charge cumber drain encumber enervate lade load oppress overburden overwork pressure push saddle sap strain stress stretch task tire try weary weigh weight
WEAK
make demands on press hard on prey on put pressure on wear out weigh down weigh heavily on
Antonyms
STRONG
activate aid assist compress concentrate delight energize help invigorate strengthen unburden
WEAK
exonerate release
VERB
wear
Synonyms
STRONGEST
rub
STRONG
abrade chafe consume crumble decay decline decrease deteriorate diminish drain dwindle erode exhaust fade fatigue fray gall graze grind impair jade overwork scrape scuff shrink tax tire waste weary weather
WEAK
be worthless become threadbare become worn cut down go to seed scrape off use up wash away wear out wear thin
Antonyms
STRONG
activate build construct develop energize enlarge enliven expand extend grow improve increase invigorate make happy refresh save strengthen
WEAK
cheer delight disrobe freshen please rebuild refuse reject take off
VERB
wear down
Synonyms
WEAK
waste wear wear out

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Due to poorly-planned development, the overuse of pesticides and the practice of creating sterile and lifeless outdoor spaces, wildlife is now disappearing and people are becoming disconnected from nature." said Surrey Wildlife Trust's Claire Harris.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Backing off, cleaning up mechanics and strengthening the right muscles early can help me prevent a minor irritation from progressing to tendinitis, rotator-cuff pathology or a more-persistent overuse injury.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

"Tendons are fundamentally susceptible to overuse," explains Jess Snedeker, a professor of orthopaedic biomechanics at ETH Zurich and Balgrist University Hospital in Zurich.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2026

The funding package also comes as new data shows that telehealth services do not result in overuse of medical services, which may help allay concerns about runaway usage and funding problems.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 24, 2026

The condition that arises when the muscle that connects the kneecap to the shin bone becomes irritated due to overuse, especially from jumping activities.

From "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander