overused

Definition of overusednext
past tense of overuse
as in popularized
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 overused But in science, they have been especially overused. Clarissa Brincat, Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026 Turning Up the Heat Too High Too Fast High heat has its place, but it is often overused. Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026 Rights groups warn the measure, introduced in March 2025, is now being overused by authorities. ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026 Derma rollers must be cleaned properly and not overused. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026 Dallas’ blue line has more depth in terms of numbers, but its top three producers have been overused. Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026 So, if the idea of culture is overused, its importance tells the path to success — or failure. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026 Lastly, Abbas notes that, like any exfoliant, citric acid can cause dryness, irritation, or sensitivity if overused or used in very high concentrations. Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 14 Jan. 2026 Gregg agrees that gray has been overused as a whole. Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overused
Verb
  • And overexposed to real estate.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Valuations for the funds last month dropped to their lowest since 2022 amid concerns that the lenders may be overexposed to software businesses under threat from AI disruption.
    Olivia Fishlow, Bloomberg, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Cavaliers and Pistons have exhausted each other in a seven-game series that won’t end until Sunday, while the Knickerbockers have been off since last Sunday.
    Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 16 May 2026
  • People are exhausted by the daily onslaught of bad headlines.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • At a time when younger workers are often stereotyped as quick to abandon jobs that feel difficult or unrewarding, Dimon said discomfort is part of the process.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 May 2026
  • The pregnant body, unhidden Bolton argues that the pregnant body has either been ignored or stereotyped in art.
    Jocelyn Noveck, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • The problem is, she’d be bored not working.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 May 2026
  • Getting bored with rewearing the same pair of jeans over and over again?
    Sydney Pulaski, Glamour, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overused. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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