overextend

verb

over·​ex·​tend ˌō-vər-ik-ˈstend How to pronounce overextend (audio)
overextended; overextending; overextends
Synonyms of overextendnext

transitive verb

: to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point
especially : to commit (oneself) financially beyond what can be paid
When the interest rate went up, he found he'd overextended himself.
overextension
ˌō-vər-ik-ˈsten(t)-shən How to pronounce overextend (audio)
noun

Examples of overextend in a Sentence

He overextended a muscle in his arm.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The result is controlled rather than chaotic, driven by confidence that never needs to overextend itself. — Brittney Williams, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026 Netflix’s appealingly wholesome Little House on the Prairie, Apple TV’s stylish but overextended Cape Fear and even a new Zorro for anybody who knows what MHz Choice is. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 You could be called to reconsider your rate, clarify your role or stop overextending yourself without compensation. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 If an employee going above and beyond is getting the same pay increase as one meeting minimum expectations, what is the drive for a worker to overextend themselves? — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overextend

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overextend was in 1859

Phrases Containing overextend

Rhymes for overextend

See All Rhymes for overextend

Browse Nearby Words

overexposure
overextend
overextend oneself
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overextend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overextend. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

overextend

verb
over·​ex·​tend ˌō-vər-ik-ˈstend How to pronounce overextend (audio)
: to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point
especially : to commit (oneself) financially beyond what can be paid
overextension
-ˈsten-shən How to pronounce overextend (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

overextend

transitive verb
over·​ex·​tend ˌō-və-rik-ˈstend How to pronounce overextend (audio)
: to extend too far
overextend the back
overextension
-ˈsten-chən How to pronounce overextend (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overextend

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for overextend

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