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
Relevance
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
This can happen if the arthritis is in your left hip or if the root cause is on your right side, but your body is compensating by overusing muscles on the left side of your back.
—
Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Criticism of Hochul flying private comes after Republicans attacked her for overusing the state’s aircraft in 2022.
—Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Jan. 2025
There are ways to stagger Bridges, Anunoby and Hart so that no one feels, in your words, overused.
—James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Using heat-protection sprays and blow-dry-specific products can also help minimize damage, though Sahin warned against overusing styling products.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Criticism of Hochul flying private comes after Republicans attacked her for overusing the state’s aircraft in 2022.
—Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Jan. 2025
There are ways to stagger Bridges, Anunoby and Hart so that no one feels, in your words, overused.
—James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Using heat-protection sprays and blow-dry-specific products can also help minimize damage, though Sahin warned against overusing styling products.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overuse
Verb
-
Millennials have been stereotyped since, well, the turn of the century.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Empathy, collaboration, emotional intelligence – often stereotyped as feminine traits – are crucial leadership skills, supported by extensive research.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
But if it is allowed to fade into irrelevance, or overexposed to the point of consumer indifference, the steep costs may not be worth it.—
Alex Weprin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Either the Chiefs’ one-man band on offense finally collapses under the weight of its lack of explosiveness, or the Eagles never spring the big run and leave Hurts overexposed against a tough defense.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Andrew was working behind the scenes to popularize the possum in his own way.—
Howard Dorre,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Billy Crystal popularized his Sammy Davis Jr. impersonation in the '80s on Saturday Night Live.—
Lester Fabian Brathwaite,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
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
-
Ever since his rise to power, Trump has served as a vulgarizing agent.—
Leon Neyfakh,
Slate Magazine,
2 June 2017
Verb
-
But by 2011, they were exhausted by seven solid years of touring and recording.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Like state government, municipalities also have exhausted most of their emergency federal pandemic aid.—
Jessika Harkay,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Virgin doesn’t do buffets, and all restaurants (which are included in the fare) offered alcohol pairings with low-ABV or non-alcoholic options, giving me a way to enjoy the flavors without overdoing it.—
Josh Rivera,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Disinfect only when necessary Don’t overdo it with bleach and other strong disinfectants.—
Matt Fuchs,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Also, notice that balance doesn’t mean boring or drafting low-upside players.—
Owen Poindexter,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
-
The biggest reason the internet appears bored and uninterested with the Samsung Galaxy S25 range can be attributed to the maturation and plateauing of the smartphone market.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overuse. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share