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
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Recent Examples of overused
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
Their answers, unsurprisingly, skew toward once-trending hues that now feel tired and overused.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 5 Jan. 2026
Leave overused, cool neutrals in 2025 and take advice from interior designer Marianne Jones and embrace warm, earthy, and saturated color palettes.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025
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
Their answers, unsurprisingly, skew toward once-trending hues that now feel tired and overused.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 5 Jan. 2026
Leave overused, cool neutrals in 2025 and take advice from interior designer Marianne Jones and embrace warm, earthy, and saturated color palettes.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overused
Verb
-
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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Father Time lost again James was exhausted, his jersey pulled over his head after a fourth-quarter turnover.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
When one physician is exhausted, others compensate.—
Jennifer Obel,
Twin Cities,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
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Accounting, long stereotyped as dull and tedious, has struggled for years to attract young talent.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
No more wasting, but no getting bored either.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
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
“Overused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overused. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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