Thesaurus results for OVERUSED

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

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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 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 Rights groups warn the measure, introduced in March 2025, is now being overused by authorities. — ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overused

Verb

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
However, the sky is overexposed and completely devoid of blue.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of overexposed

Verb

For every identity that is stereotyped or marginalized in mainstream pop culture, there are thousands, if not millions, of very different people whose individuality gets erased in the process.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Sleep apnea is still stereotyped as affecting older, overweight men, which means women’s more subtle symptoms are often not thoroughly investigated by doctors.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of stereotyped

Verb

Needless to say, Parker and Stone quickly got bored with the subject, adding a subplot that saw Obama teaming up with his apparent nemesis John McCain to dig a tunnel from the Oval Office to the Smithsonian and steal the Hope Diamond.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
The popular Korean drama Flex X Cop, whose full first season and episode one of season two drop on August 7, centers on Jin I-soo, who is an immature heir to a massive company and is bored with his job.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of bored

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

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Synonyms of overused

verb

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