over·stress
ˌō-vər-ˈstres 
overstressed; overstressing
: to stress (someone or something) excessively: such as
a
: to subject (someone or something) to excessive physical or psychological stress
overstressed himself with too many commitments
… workers often overstress their muscles and tissues to the point where they become inflamed …—
Predicasts Technology Update
Predicasts Technology Update… the alternate action of the wind on either side of the church overstressed the intermediate external pillar, which failed.—Mario Salvadori
Mario Salvadori
b
: to place too much emphasis on (something) : overemphasize
overstress the possibility of an unlikely problem
The importance of this point can't be overstressed. = I can't overstress the importance of this point.
over·stress
ˈō-vər-ˌstres
: an excessive amount of physical or psychological stress
overstress on a building's supports
He learned a short left leg had resulted in overstress on the right foot.—Hillary Gavan
Hillary GavanWhile a certain level of stress can increase productivity, overstress causes us—at a deep, biological level—to start making choices that are unwise, unsafe, and even unethical.—Brian Whetten
Brian WhettenExamples of overstress in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Stokel-Walker, WIRED, 8 Nov. 2022
Don't overstress yourself Work in teams of two or more people to move heavy objects.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024
The advantage is being able to tax the muscle sufficiently to convince it to make changes and grow bigger and stronger, but without heavy weights that can overstress the joints.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2024
Folks tend to overlook these side-butt muscles, which can be a problem: Weakness there can overstress other areas, like your knees and ankles, upping your risk of injury down the line.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 26 June 2024
Residents who are crowded and overstressed, in too close living conditions with no respite, are more prone to violence.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 3 June 2024
Powell’s threading a tricky needle—the housing market is a big driver of the domestic economy, and overstressing it by keeping interest rates high for too long could threaten the rest of the economy.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024
What was the easiest way to break a sweat without overstressing your already-beleaguered mind and body?
—Ashley Mateo, SELF, 31 Oct. 2023
Comparisons with the past might only depress you, or worse, mislead you into overstressing.
—Roger Robinson, Outside Online, 14 Jan. 2021
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Verb
Those issues are compounded by the fact that the staff tasked with making them are overworked, overstressed, and overtired.
—Chris Stokel-Walker, WIRED, 8 Nov. 2022
Don't overstress yourself Work in teams of two or more people to move heavy objects.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024
The advantage is being able to tax the muscle sufficiently to convince it to make changes and grow bigger and stronger, but without heavy weights that can overstress the joints.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2024
Folks tend to overlook these side-butt muscles, which can be a problem: Weakness there can overstress other areas, like your knees and ankles, upping your risk of injury down the line.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 26 June 2024
Residents who are crowded and overstressed, in too close living conditions with no respite, are more prone to violence.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 3 June 2024
Powell’s threading a tricky needle—the housing market is a big driver of the domestic economy, and overstressing it by keeping interest rates high for too long could threaten the rest of the economy.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024
What was the easiest way to break a sweat without overstressing your already-beleaguered mind and body?
—Ashley Mateo, SELF, 31 Oct. 2023
Comparisons with the past might only depress you, or worse, mislead you into overstressing.
—Roger Robinson, Outside Online, 14 Jan. 2021
Dictionary Entries Near overstress
Cite this Entry
“Overstress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overstress. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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