as in to stereotype
to use so much as to make less appealing
she had overused that joke to the point where it was eliciting groans and not guffaws
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of overuse
This can happen if the arthritis is in your left hip or if the root cause is on your right side, but your body is compensating by overusing muscles on the left side of your back.
—
Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Criticism of Hochul flying private comes after Republicans attacked her for overusing the state’s aircraft in 2022.
—Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Jan. 2025
There are ways to stagger Bridges, Anunoby and Hart so that no one feels, in your words, overused.
—James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Using heat-protection sprays and blow-dry-specific products can also help minimize damage, though Sahin warned against overusing styling products.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Criticism of Hochul flying private comes after Republicans attacked her for overusing the state’s aircraft in 2022.
—Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Jan. 2025
There are ways to stagger Bridges, Anunoby and Hart so that no one feels, in your words, overused.
—James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Using heat-protection sprays and blow-dry-specific products can also help minimize damage, though Sahin warned against overusing styling products.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overuse
Verb
-
The luxury goods that millennials and Gen Z-ers want Older generations often stereotype Millennials and Gen Z-ers as addicted to screens and bad in the workplace.—
Francisco Velasquez,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Trust is key to a long term solution If a private equity firm (stereotyped as ruthless corporate raiders) can overcome employee skepticism and adversarial thinking, so can any company.—
Peter Georgescu,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
But if it is allowed to fade into irrelevance, or overexposed to the point of consumer indifference, the steep costs may not be worth it.—
Alex Weprin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Either the Chiefs’ one-man band on offense finally collapses under the weight of its lack of explosiveness, or the Eagles never spring the big run and leave Hurts overexposed against a tough defense.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The vertical scrolling format popularized by companies like Webtoon is inherently mobile-friendly and aligns with changing consumption habits among younger demographics who increasingly consume content on smartphones.—
Damion Taylor,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The parenting style popularized by Millennials has received criticism from older generations who argue parents are too permissive with their children.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA TODAY,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
His versions were full-blooded, with lush strings and reasonably large orchestras — and, purists alleged — vulgarizing distortions.—
BostonGlobe.com,
BostonGlobe.com,
28 Oct. 2019
-
Ever since his rise to power, Trump has served as a vulgarizing agent.—
Leon Neyfakh,
Slate Magazine,
2 June 2017
Verb
-
With tennis becoming longer and more physical, best-of-five matches wreck players’ bodies, leaving them exhausted by the end of the tournament.—
Gavriella Epstein-Lightman,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Do my team members feel energized or exhausted by our culture?—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Once Neptune enters Aries on March 30, a wave of inspiration could surround your daily life, but also some confusion around your work life or health journey — don’t overdo it or fall for unrealistic expectations.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
-
But historical data suggests that most players overdo it—especially in smaller pools with fewer than 50 entrants.—
Kilty Cleary,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Personalized Learning Traditional classrooms often cater to the average, leaving some students bored and others struggling to keep up.—
MacKenzie Price,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Generally the right half of North America, but during the winter, H. mustelina heads south to bore the hell out of Mexico and Central America.—
Matt Kracht,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overuse. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share