overdrive
noun
over·drive
ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv 
1
: an automotive transmission gear that transmits to the drive shaft a speed greater than engine speed
2
: a state of heightened activity
going into rhetorical overdrive
Examples of overdrive in a Sentence
He put the car into overdrive.
His acting career is in overdrive.
The reporters went into overdrive to finish their stories on time.
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2008, supernatural teen romance fandom shifted into overdrive when the first of Stephenie Meyer's wildly popular Twilight novels hit the big screen.
—
Dustin Nelson, EW.com, 15 May 2024
Zendaya in Maison Margiela Artisanal Beginning on Sunday, the rumor mill kicked into overdrive with what Zendaya might wear to the Met Gala, easily the star that drew the most rabid curiosity of red-carpet fans.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for overdrive 
Dustin Nelson, EW.com, 15 May 2024
Zendaya in Maison Margiela Artisanal Beginning on Sunday, the rumor mill kicked into overdrive with what Zendaya might wear to the Met Gala, easily the star that drew the most rabid curiosity of red-carpet fans.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for overdrive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overdrive.' 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 overdrive
Cite this Entry
“Overdrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdrive. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
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overdrive
noun
over·drive
ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv
: a transmission gear in an automobile that allows the drive shaft to operate at a speed greater than that of the engine crankshaft
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