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 KaufmanExamples 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 Web
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 25 Oct. 2025
However, both can cause side effects if overused.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2025
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
However, overuse can cause dryness and irritation or strip your hair's natural oils, making your hair more prone to damage.
—Heidi Cope, Health, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overuse
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Verb
Shea butter and cocoa butter are thick and great ingredients that generally can’t be overused.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 25 Oct. 2025
However, both can cause side effects if overused.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
Andrews sees the overuse of AI tools as one of the subtle challenges facing young professionals.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
However, overuse can cause dryness and irritation or strip your hair's natural oils, making your hair more prone to damage.
—Heidi Cope, Health, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Cite this Entry
“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overuse. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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