overcommit

verb

over·​com·​mit ˌō-vər-kə-ˈmit How to pronounce overcommit (audio)
overcommitted; overcommitting; overcommits

transitive verb

: to commit excessively: such as
a
: to obligate (someone, such as oneself) beyond the ability for fulfillment
b
: to allocate (resources) in excess of the capacity for replenishment
overcommitment noun

Examples of overcommit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This should prevent City from having to overcommit their full-backs early, and means that the far-side winger (i.e. City’s right winger when teams are building up down City’s left) can tuck in onto a midfielder and help track runners. Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024 Just try not to overcommit, as Mercury in Sagittarius has a habit of promising the moon, but following through can be a different story. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024 Be mindful not to overcommit yourself socially after work. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 28 May 2024 Too much national ambition, for instance, can lead to overreach, imperiling the country that overcommits itself. Michael J. Mazarr, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022 Cautious not to overcommit, administration officials were at pains not to deem this a state-building project. Sarah Harrison, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2023 Okay, probably not, but the legendary actor joins the Only Murders cast this week as a heightened version of himself who overcommits to all of his parts. Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 This brings us to our first don’t: Don’t overcommit your finances just because you’re approved for a certain amount. Erin Hayes Burt, Dallas News, 14 July 2023 Unfortunately, many organizations overcommit and take on too many priorities, stretching their people thin. Anna Oakes, Quartz, 1 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overcommit was in 1951

Dictionary Entries Near overcommit

Cite this Entry

“Overcommit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcommit. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on overcommit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!