Overuse
/ˌoʊvɚˈjuːz/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 excessive use uncountable
"There’s an occasional schmaltziness, aggravated by the overuse of a twangy score, but more than enough moments of genuine heartbreak, joy and suspense to make up for it."
- 2 exploitation to the point of diminishing returns wordnet
Verb
- 1 To use too much of (something); to use (it) too often. transitive
"Another group argues that the diagnosis is being overused and that many of the diagnosed cases are iatrogenic, or unintentionally shaped or caused by the practitioner"
- 2 make use of too often or too extensively wordnet
Example
More examples"With groundwater levels dropping due to overuse, drought and climate change, the challenge to get enough water daily was becoming harder."
Etymology
From over- + use.