overpopulate

verb

over·​pop·​u·​late ˌō-vər-ˈpä-pyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce overpopulate (audio)
overpopulated; overpopulating; overpopulates

transitive verb

: to populate too densely : furnish or provide with more than the environment or market will bear

intransitive verb

: to become overly populous

Examples of overpopulate 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.
Jellyfish risk overpopulating certain areas of the world and disrupting marine ecosystems due to climate change. Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 Many community planning groups have been overpopulated by persons resistant to change. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2024 On Thursday, supporters of Proposition 47 criticized the initiative, painting it as a return to 1990s-era strategies that fueled historic prison overpopulating. Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024 Big game like elk and deer can overpopulate a habitat, especially if there is a lack of predators. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 20 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overpopulate 

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of overpopulate was in 1828

Dictionary Entries Near overpopulate

Cite this Entry

“Overpopulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overpopulate. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

overpopulate

verb
over·​pop·​u·​late -ˈpäp-yə-ˌlāt How to pronounce overpopulate (audio)
: to populate too densely : cause to have too great a population
the city was overpopulated and polluted

More from Merriam-Webster on overpopulate

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!