overtreat

verb

over·​treat ˌō-vər-ˈtrēt How to pronounce overtreat (audio)
overtreated; overtreating

transitive + intransitive

: to treat (something or someone) more than necessary or usual: such as
a
: to give or administer excessive medical treatment to (someone) or for (something)
overtreating older patients
overtreating low-grade prostate cancers
doctors who routinely overtreat with antibiotics
b
: to subject (something) to treatment or handling too often or for too long
overtreated hair
These wines lacked fruit concentration, which suggests they had been overtreated or filtered before bottling.James Suckling

Examples of overtreat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Starting in the 1980s, DRGs changed how Medicare pays hospitals.2 What Is the Impact of DRGs on Health Care? The DRG payment system encourages hospitals to be more efficient and reduces their incentive to overtreat you. Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 24 Mar. 2023 Use minimal amounts of pesticides and don’t overtreat. Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 18 Nov. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overtreat was in 1873

Dictionary Entries Near overtreat

Cite this Entry

“Overtreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtreat. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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