overwork

American  

[oh-ver-wurk, oh-ver-wurk] / ˌoʊ vərˈwɜrk, ˈoʊ vərˌwɜrk /

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to work too hard, too much, or too long; weary or exhaust with work (often used reflexively).

   Don't overwork yourself on that new job.

2. to work up, stir up, or excite excessively.

   to overwork a mob to the verge of frenzy.

3. to employ or elaborate to excess.

   an appeal for sympathy that has been overworked by many speakers.

4. to work or decorate all over; decorate the surface of.

   white limestone overworked with inscriptions.

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verb (used without object)

1. to work too hard, too much, or too long; work to excess.

   You look as though you've been overworking.

noun

1. work beyond one's strength or capacity.

2. extra or excessive work.

overwork British  

verb

1. (also intr) to work or cause to work too hard or too long

2. to use too much

   to overwork an excuse

3. to decorate the surface of

4. to work up

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noun

1. excessive or excessively tiring work

Other Word Forms

• overworked adjective

Etymology

Origin of overwork

before 1000; Old English oferwyrcan. See over-, work

Example Sentences

Orbit City is full of buttons, and overworked fingers are a running gag in the show.

From The Wall Street Journal

He finished high school and became a poorly paid, overworked apprentice electrician.

From Los Angeles Times

"This suggests cells may be overworking early in the illness, which could lead to longer-term problems," Dr. Varela said.

From Science Daily

The book has ample scene-setting and multiple secondary plots, the biggest following the fortunes of Gita and her kind but overworked husband, Sachin, in the Michigan suburbs.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you’re overworked, burned out or underpaid in an industry that has experienced a slowdown in hiring, you’ll likely be part of the latter group.

From MarketWatch