overextend

verb

over·​ex·​tend ˌō-vər-ik-ˈstend How to pronounce overextend (audio)
overextended; overextending; overextends
Synonyms of overextendnext

transitive verb

: to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point
especially : to commit (oneself) financially beyond what can be paid
When the interest rate went up, he found he'd overextended himself.
overextension
ˌō-vər-ik-ˈsten(t)-shən How to pronounce overextend (audio)
noun

Examples of overextend in a Sentence

He overextended a muscle in his arm.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
No need to overextend yourself. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 Lock your hips out at the top without overextending and stand tall with your shoulders in line with your pelvis. — Jakob Roze, Health, 17 June 2026 Finances may feel a little tight this month, so get creative rather than overextended. — Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026 We’re overextended overseas with our foreign aid, with our foreign bases. — NBC news, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for overextend

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overextend was in 1859

Phrases Containing overextend

Rhymes for overextend

See All Rhymes for overextend

Browse Nearby Words

overexposure
overextend
overextend oneself
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overextend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overextend. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

overextend

verb
over·​ex·​tend ˌō-vər-ik-ˈstend How to pronounce overextend (audio)
: to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point
especially : to commit (oneself) financially beyond what can be paid
overextension
-ˈsten-shən How to pronounce overextend (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

overextend

transitive verb
over·​ex·​tend ˌō-və-rik-ˈstend How to pronounce overextend (audio)
: to extend too far
overextend the back
overextension
-ˈsten-chən How to pronounce overextend (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overextend

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for overextend

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