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
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Recent Examples of overuse
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
Where younger adults tend to become isolated after overusing smartphones, older adults tend to turn to phones after cognitive declines or being isolated from family and friends.
—Emily Kwong, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
The perception problem While filler words can help conversations flow, research suggests overusing them may signal uncertainty or a shaky command of the material (or language in general).
—Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Revenge and Williams say that precision, without overusing heat, is key.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Where younger adults tend to become isolated after overusing smartphones, older adults tend to turn to phones after cognitive declines or being isolated from family and friends.
—Emily Kwong, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
The perception problem While filler words can help conversations flow, research suggests overusing them may signal uncertainty or a shaky command of the material (or language in general).
—Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Revenge and Williams say that precision, without overusing heat, is key.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overuse
Verb
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Despite their best intentions, most parents cannot help but stereotype their infants by gender and begin treating boys and girls differently early on.—
Lise Eliot,
The Conversation,
20 Apr. 2026
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Latinos are a fundamental part of American history and culture, and one of the largest communities in the United States, yet their presence in Hollywood has long been limited, stereotyped, or overlooked.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Routine and to avoid being overexposed by facing the top of the batting order.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
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The private credit industry has been roiled in recent months by concerns that it is overexposed to the software industry – an area that’s been under pressure over fears of disintermediation from artificial intelligence.—
Leslie Picker,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Burke is also recognized for helping popularize the gesture in professional sports.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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Why the Shot Ritual Isn’t the Point The shot format Kardashian helped popularize has no distinct research supporting it as a method.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His versions were full-blooded, with lush strings and reasonably large orchestras — and, purists alleged — vulgarizing distortions.—
BostonGlobe.com,
BostonGlobe.com,
28 Oct. 2019
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Ever since his rise to power, Trump has served as a vulgarizing agent.—
Leon Neyfakh,
Slate Magazine,
2 June 2017
Verb
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Repole is exhausting, but never exhausted.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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But within a few years, they were exhausted from constant touring with occasional bickering.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Herzog naturally plays up the enigma at hand with epic grandeur, occasionally overdoing it but usually hitting the mark.—
Eric Kohn,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
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But nighttime pain that woke me every few hours was likely from overdoing, Bugbee’s nurse explained.—
Nicole Sours Larson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Little about the New England Patriots’ last three weeks has been boring.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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And the fact that people pay money to stand around for four hours, or more, to watch a press conference is a remarkable testament to sports fans’ willingness to be bored as long as football is tangentially involved.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overuse. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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