overwrite

verb

over·​write ˌō-vər-ˈrīt How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
ˌō-və-
overwrote ˌō-vər-ˈrōt How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
ˌō-və-
; overwritten ˌō-vər-ˈri-tᵊn How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
ˌō-və-
; overwriting ˌō-vər-ˈrī-tiŋ How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
ˌō-və-

transitive verb

1
: to write over the surface of
2
: to write in inflated or overly elaborate style

intransitive verb

: to write too much or in an overly elaborate style

Examples of overwrite in a Sentence

The author has a tendency to overwrite.
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.
The Data Shredder completely overwrites the data, so recovery software can’t bring it back. Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 25 June 2025 The hive-mind of our writers’ room and cast: a back-and-forth that writes and overwrites the characters and their choices, enriching the psychological stock of the soup. Mickey Down, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025 As political actors and private ventures increasingly blur the line between public policy and personal gain, many fear that Bitcoin’s foundational values are at risk of being overwritten. Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 The prose is florid and overwritten: While Martin uses normal language to methodically introduce an unease without even hinting at the supernatural, and drives the story through conflict among his characters, the AIs are all unsubtle. Kelsey Piper, Vox, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for overwrite

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overwrite was in 1820

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overwrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overwrite. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

overwrite

verb
over·​write ˌō-və(r)-ˈrīt How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
overwrote -ˈrōt How to pronounce overwrite (audio) ; overwritten -ˈrit-ᵊn How to pronounce overwrite (audio) ; overwriting -ˈrīt-iŋ How to pronounce overwrite (audio)
1
: to write over the surface of : write on top of
2
: to write too much or in an overly elaborate style
overwritten accounts of everyday events

More from Merriam-Webster on overwrite

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