overuse

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈyüz How to pronounce overuse (audio)
Definition of overusenext
as in to stereotype
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

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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 overuse While the analogy may be slightly overused, the challenge is that oil still needs to be refined into a useful end product. — Guy Courtin, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Common mistakes like skipping morning water, overusing caffeine, or ignoring electrolytes can impact hydration. — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 7 July 2026 Although the word ‘hero’ is greatly overused in today’s society, in my mind, Calvin Duncan is a hero in the truest sense of that word. — Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026 The fastest ways to lose that hotel feel include overusing plug-ins, which read as synthetic, and mixing too many competing fragrances at once. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for overuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overuse
  1. stereotype
  2. overexpose
  3. popularize
  4. vulgarize
  5. exhaust
  6. overdo
  7. bore
Verb
  • Despite being more prevalent now than ever, Chinese cuisine is still at times stereotyped or devalued.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This phenomenon was most prominently displayed after George Floyd's death in 2020, when police officers were stereotyped across the country and the Black murder rate saw a 2,500-victim increase from the year before.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of stereotype
Verb
  • Imai had pitched twice in the previous 19 days, occupying a roster spot while leaving his fellow relievers overexposed.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • While some use leverage strategically, many are overexposed, risking severe losses when markets inevitably correct, proving even good ideas can fail without surviving volatility.
    — Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of overexpose
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the shoes were being worn by celebrities such as Gal Gadot, Madison Beer, Paris Jackson, Jordana Brewster, Saoirse Ronan and SZA, helping to further popularize the brand.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
  • But to be clear, Zucker and his company didn’t invent, or even popularize, breaking.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of popularize
Verb
  • His versions were full-blooded, with lush strings and reasonably large orchestras — and, purists alleged — vulgarizing distortions.
    — BostonGlobe.com, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Oct. 2019
Definition of vulgarize
Verb
  • When all out-of-court options have been exhausted, and the MCA debt threatens the immediate survival of an otherwise viable business, legal reorganization is the final angle of management.
    — Nathan Mor, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Like athletes in other pro leagues, NFL players must first exhaust out-of-court arbitration and grievance procedures.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhaust
Verb
  • Don’t get too warm, though Although staying warm is essential — things like fingers don’t work as efficiently when chilled — don’t overdo it.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • One of her concerns is layering products, which can easily lead to overdoing it on the actives.
    — Korin Miller, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of overdo
Verb
  • For a chic but not boring animal print outfit, use only those two colors as part of your look.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Hundreds of pinprick holes had been bored into the metal undercarriage, and each one had to be deburred by hand.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of bore

Browse Nearby Words

overturns
overuse
overused
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Cite this Entry

“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overuse. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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