overproduce

verb

over·​pro·​duce ˌō-vər-prə-ˈdüs 

-prō-,

-ˈdyüs

overproduced; overproducing

transitive + intransitive

: to produce an excessive amount (of something)

The drug prevents pimples by shrinking the glands attached to hair follicles that, in acne sufferers, overproduce an oily substance known as sebum, which can clog pores.

—Mary Duenwald

… if soils are too fertile, the vines can overproduce, leading to vegetal aromas and flavors.

—Michael Schachner

GM also undermined the resale value of its models by overproducing them and giving them away at fire-sale prices.

—Keith Naughton et al.

… encourages farmers to overproduce, which further drives prices down …

—Newsweek

Examples of overproduce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For many, the need for a detox becomes even more apparent during colder months, when dry air can cause the scalp to overproduce oil in response to the harsher conditions. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2025

Yellen pointed to new technologies such as electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and solar panels as other areas that China is overproducing. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024

People with multiple myeloma may overproduce some antibodies. —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 24 Jan. 2025

The education system’s college-for-all model is overproducing underemployed knowledge workers. —Oren Cass, Foreign Affairs, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overproduce

• reintroduce
• abstruse
• abuse
• adduce
• atreus
• caboose
• cayuse
• conduce
• deduce
• diffuse
• disuse
• excuse

Medical Definition

overproduce

transitive verb

over·​pro·​duce -prə-ˈd(y)üs, -prō- 

overproduced; overproducing

: to produce to excess

mice genetically altered to overproduce beta-amyloid

—Richard Saltus

overproduction

-ˈdək-shən 

noun