overwrite

verb

over·​write ˌō-vər-ˈrīt How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
ˌō-və-
overwrote ˌō-vər-ˈrōt How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
ˌō-və-
 ; overwritten ˌō-vər-ˈri-tᵊn How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
ˌō-və-
 ; overwriting ˌō-vər-ˈrī-tiŋ How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
ˌō-və-

transitive verb

1
: to write over the surface of
2
: to write in inflated or overly elaborate style
3
: to replace information in (a computer file) with new information

intransitive verb

: to write too much or in an overly elaborate style

Examples of overwrite in a Sentence

The author has a tendency to overwrite.
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.
Because the driver doesn’t enforce a memory copy limit of 504 bytes, overwriting adjacent data, a malicious insider or a hacker who has gained low-level access to a local network can send an error message that appends code past this limit. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026 As Silverhand’s consciousness begins overwriting V’s own, the two must work together to separate from each other and save V’s life by confronting the Arasaka Corporation, a powerful megacorporation acting as the de facto ruler of the city. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 Key to this process is what computer scientists call a gate – that is, a molecular switch that decides how much of an existing memory to keep and how much to overwrite when new information arrives. — Shiladitya Banerjee, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026 They have all been flattened, overwritten by the wall of mud and water that claimed everything in its path. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overwrite

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overwrite was in 1820

Rhymes for overwrite

See All Rhymes for overwrite

Browse Nearby Words

overwrap
overwrite
overwrought
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overwrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overwrite. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

overwrite

verb
over·​write ˌō-və(r)-ˈrīt How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
overwrote -ˈrōt How to pronounce overwrite (audio) ; overwritten -ˈrit-ᵊn How to pronounce overwrite (audio) ; overwriting -ˈrīt-iŋ How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
1
: to write over the surface of : write on top of
2
: to write too much or in an overly elaborate style
overwritten accounts of everyday events
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