overextend

American  

[oh-ver-ik-stend] / ˌoʊ vər ɪkˈstɛnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to extend, reach, or expand beyond a proper, safe, or reasonable point.

   a company that overextended its credit to diversify.

2. to extend for too long a time.

   to overextend a stay.

3. to obligate (oneself ) to more activities, work, etc., than one has time for or can accomplish well.

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Other Word Forms

• overextension noun

Etymology

Origin of overextend

First recorded in 1935–40; over- + extend

Example Sentences

I’m also trying to better balance the emotional commitment and avoid overextending myself — whether that means spending hours listening to everyone or trying to fix everything.

From MarketWatch

Medical care in Florida, as in many other states, is overextended.

From MarketWatch

Instead, the moves on Tuesday look much more like an oil-price reaction, combined with cutbacks in overextended winning positions.

From The Wall Street Journal

There were big moves in the opposite direction on the vaccine news, and the overextended Covid winners have never recovered.

From The Wall Street Journal

With just those two items, her new monthly budget is overextended.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• drain
• fatigue
• frazzle
• impoverish
• overwork
• sap
• tire out
• use up
• weaken
• wear out
• weary