overcharge

verb

over·​charge ˌō-vər-ˈchärj 

overcharged; overcharging; overcharges

transitive verb

1

: to charge too much or too fully

2

: to fill too full

3

: exaggerate, overdraw

intransitive verb

: to make an excessive charge

overcharge

ˈō-vər-ˌchärj 

noun

Synonyms

• gouge
• soak
• sting
• surcharge

Examples of overcharge in a Sentence

He overcharges for car repairs.

He overcharges his customers for car repairs.

The store overcharged me for my skirt.

Recent Examples on the Web

Advertisers have accused the parent company of Facebook and Instagram of overcharging by inflating the audience numbers their ads could reach. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

Over a dozen stores across North Carolina were caught overcharging customers, including some Target, Family Dollar and Dollar General locations. —Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2025

If Panama is overcharging U.S. shipping, negotiate. —Llewellyn King, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2025

For example, if a product was sold based on an item’s net weight, the grocer would overcharge customers by including the weight of the packaging in the cost, the Democrats said in a press release. —Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

overcharge

verb

over·​charge ˌō-vər-ˈchärj 

1

: to charge too much

2

: to fill or load too full

a cannon overcharged with powder

overcharge

ˈō-vər-ˌchärj 

noun