overdo

verb

over·​do ˌō-vər-ˈdü 

overdid ˌō-vər-ˈdid  ; overdone ˌō-vər-ˈdən  ; overdoing ˌō-vər-ˈdü-iŋ  ; overdoes ˌō-vər-ˈdəz 

transitive verb

1

a

: to do in excess

b

: to use to excess

c

: exaggerate

2

: to cook too long

3

: exhaust

intransitive verb

: to go to extremes

Synonyms

• exaggerate
• overdraw
• overstate
• put on

Examples of overdo in a Sentence

You should exercise every day, but don't overdo it.

The acting in that play was badly overdone.

Don't overdo the salt in this recipe.

The cook overdid the hamburgers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pet safety: How to keep your pets safe in cold weather The best tips to heal dry and chapped lips Use lip balm or ointment throughout the day, but be careful to avoid overdoing it. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024

Adapting Zombies novelist Seth Grahame-Smith’s book, which reimagined our 16th president as a kick-ass vampire slayer, director Timur Bekmambetov overdoes the gloomy grandeur and violent kill sequences. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2024

Mist with water daily to further keep the greenery moist and extend its freshness, but be careful not to overdo it on this green’s delicate leaves. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2024

The character is in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, and without overdoing it, Ford reveals his shakiness, both physically — his hands tremble slightly at various moments, a reminder of how his body is starting to betray him — and emotionally. —Jen Chaney, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

overdo

verb

over·​do -ˈdü 

overdid -ˈdid  ; overdone -ˈdən  ; overdoing -ˈdü-iŋ 

1

: to do too much

overdoes it getting ready for a party

2

: exaggerate

overdo praise

3

: to cook too long

meat that is overdone