overpopulate

[ oh-ver-pop-yuh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·pop·u·lat·ed, o·ver·pop·u·lat·ing.

1. to fill with an excessive number of people, straining available resources and facilities:

   Expanding industry has overpopulated the western suburbs.

Other Words From

• over·popu·lation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overpopulate¹

First recorded in 1865–70; over- + populate

Example Sentences

One thing stood out: The roots of their sentiments lay in concerns that the United States has become overpopulated.

From Salon

That’s the way nature designed it and how it worked for thousands of years until humans mucked it up — mostly as we overpopulated California after World War II.

From Los Angeles Times

She agreed with the agency’s argument that it had the authority to round up horses as soon as it determined the herd was overpopulated.

From Seattle Times

Invasive plants hurt garden habitats by rapidly overpopulating the area, blocking sunlight, draining water and competing with garden plants and native species for resources.

From Salon

“We’re overpopulated now and with schools and everything else, it’s just a difficult time.”

From Seattle Times