over·use
ˌō-vər-ˈyüz 
overused; overusing
: to use (something) too much : to use (something) excessively or too frequently
a word that has been greatly overused
At best, gatekeepers can keep everyone from overusing costly high-tech treatments when primary care is enough.—
Marilyn Chase
Marilyn Chase
over·use
ˌō-vər-ˈyüs
: too much use : excessive or too frequent use
the overuse of antibiotics
athletes suffering from overuse injuries
His overuse of four-letter words—often a dozen per page—may accurately mirror a macho world where cussing is cool, but it is tedious to read.—Frederick Kaufman
Frederick Kaufman
Examples of overuse in a Sentence
Verb
she had overused that joke to the point where it was eliciting groans and not guffaws
Recent Examples on the WebJolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2024
According to Henry Skinner, CEO of the AMR Action Fund, the issue is a combination of low prices and low sales volume resulting from the restrictions placed on antibiotic use, with healthcare systems afraid of overusing new drugs and potentially driving more rapid microbial resistance.
—Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
Steve Brozak, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
It is typically caused by ankle overuse, often from running or repetitive jumping.
—Sarah Richards, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overuse 
Verb
Avoid overusing oxygen bleach to prevent chalky residue deposits.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2024
According to Henry Skinner, CEO of the AMR Action Fund, the issue is a combination of low prices and low sales volume resulting from the restrictions placed on antibiotic use, with healthcare systems afraid of overusing new drugs and potentially driving more rapid microbial resistance.
—Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
Noun
His prescient statement rings true today with the evolution of organisms resistant to a host of antimicrobials due mainly to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics.
—Steve Brozak, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
It is typically caused by ankle overuse, often from running or repetitive jumping.
—Sarah Richards, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overuse
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overuse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near overuse
Cite this Entry
“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overuse. Accessed 29 Oct. 2024.
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