overused

verb

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 1984 is continuously overused by fans as evidence of what the program can achieve. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 While the analogy may be slightly overused, the challenge is that oil still needs to be refined into a useful end product. — Guy Courtin, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Although the word ‘hero’ is greatly overused in today’s society, in my mind, Calvin Duncan is a hero in the truest sense of that word. — Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026 Meanwhile, existing antibiotics have been overused, and resistance has mounted to critical levels. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026 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 Baking soda does not make tomatoes sweeter and can harm plants if overused. — Cori Sears, The Spruce, 30 May 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overused
  1. overexposed
  2. exhausted
  3. stereotyped
  4. bored
Verb
  • Imai had pitched twice in the previous 19 days, occupying a roster spot while leaving his fellow relievers overexposed.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • While some use leverage strategically, many are overexposed, risking severe losses when markets inevitably correct, proving even good ideas can fail without surviving volatility.
    — Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of overexposed
Verb
  • The person with the least votes after each round is eliminated, with ballots reapportioned or exhausted until the winner clears 50%.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
  • In fact, even before the show actually starts, Bob can be exhausted, having been awake since some ridiculous hour.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhausted
Verb
  • Despite being more prevalent now than ever, Chinese cuisine is still at times stereotyped or devalued.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This phenomenon was most prominently displayed after George Floyd's death in 2020, when police officers were stereotyped across the country and the Black murder rate saw a 2,500-victim increase from the year before.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of stereotyped
Verb
  • The face of it is teenagers who are rebellious, bored by school (often for good reason), and beyond parent control.
    — Kalman Hettleman, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The twin tubes, bored at a rate of roughly 30 feet per day, will take about a year to dig.
    — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of bored

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Overused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overused. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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