overreliance

noun

over·​re·​li·​ance ˌō-vər-ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s How to pronounce overreliance (audio)
: the act or state of relying on something or someone too much : excessive reliance
One of my top priorities next year is to have an energy policy that begins to address all facets of our overreliance on fossil fuels.Barack Obama
I shy away from prescribing sleeping pills … to avoid overreliance on them.Andrew Weil

Examples of overreliance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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This overreliance on parental support may inadvertently signal to employers that the candidate lacks the essential soft skills and self-reliance needed in today's competitive job market. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024 Additionally, there is an overreliance on the underperforming nonprofit Election Registration Information Center, which further complicates efforts to ensure the integrity and accuracy of our voter rolls. Kate Sullivan, Baltimore Sun, 22 Nov. 2024 There has been an overreliance on individual moments or set pieces to win games. Jessy Parker Humphreys, The Athletic, 13 July 2024 Harris, in his articles and policy briefs, acknowledged the historical challenges facing Jamaica’s economy, including a lack of capital, a weakness in manufacturing, and an overreliance on the exports of primary products, such as bauxite and sugar. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overreliance 

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overreliance was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near overreliance

Cite this Entry

“Overreliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overreliance. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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