Definition of overusenext
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

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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 Many detox teas contain laxatives like senna, which can cause side effects like diarrhea, cramping, and bloating if overused. Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 3 June 2026 The Mets need to be careful about potentially overusing him and their other high-leverage relievers such as lefty Brooks Raley and right-hander Luke Weaver. Will Sammon, New York Times, 3 June 2026 Baking soda does not make tomatoes sweeter and can harm plants if overused. Cori Sears, The Spruce, 30 May 2026 While most treatments are safe, ProPublica’s investigation found that there has been widespread concern among medical experts that some doctors are overusing procedures on patients who may not need them. Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for overuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overuse
Verb
  • Along with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, the foundation also partners with schools and community institutions to educate the challenging effects of stereotyping, unconscious bias, and representation imbalance of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and persons with disabilities.
    Carole Horst, Variety, 21 June 2026
  • Brousson jokingly stereotyped the Waffle House staffers as having active warrants, picking their nose with the spatulas and smoking cigarettes while battling third-degree grease burns.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • At 3x, the Razr+'s image processing tried to save the shot by overexposing the dish, but unfortunately, my dinner just looks like an inedible oil painting with a glossy sheen.
    Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026
  • They can get dehydrated and overexposed to the sun and are unable to cool down.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Meta's WhatsApp has 500 million people in India using its messaging services, but is struggling to popularize its payment tool, WhatsApp Pay, in the country's hyper-competitive digital payments space.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 23 June 2026
  • Kirk helped popularize some of the principles of Seven Mountains, introducing the idea of the seven spheres to his millions of followers.
    Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
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
  • In the finals, Israel faced an Australian team already exhausted after fending off South Korea, Japan and Rhodesia (itself in the Asian tournament after being banned in Africa over its white governing regime).
    Deborah Danan, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026
  • For years, people have been frustrated and exhausted by the seemingly endless amount of swiping and small talk that go nowhere on dating apps.
    Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Taylor and Travis both love to put on a show, both love to overdo it.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
  • Have fun walking up and running down the dunes with your pup, but be mindful of the heat and elevation to avoid overdoing it.
    Rebecca R. Norris, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • The message is that in a world full of endless choices, commitment and sticking to one thing isn't boring, and can in fact bring you the ultimate joy.
    Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
  • He’s been bored of this war for a while, and in the West Wing, there was a race to be done with it.
    Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overuse. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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