Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
😩 To work too hard 😩 Too much work 🔄 To use too much
to overwork

to overwork

2 4.4
To use something too much so it loses its quality or value
  • verb
  • /ˌoʊvərˈwɜrk/
translation icon : trabajar demasiado
  • Don't overwork the water pump.
  • overwork the dough
  • overwork the painting
  • overwork the piece

And so so yeah, you can overwork it so it loses its magic.

Examples

  • Then add the chips by hand, because you don't want to overwork the dough.

    Blog text (20)

  • So if you do incredibly hard negative reps in CrossFit movements, for instance, you can overwork your muscles.

  • You know, I don't wanna overwork the machine, so...

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)

  • Take care not to overwork the mousse, but make sure you blend in the cream well.

    Blog text (12)

  • If you overwork the dough, you develop too much gluten and end up with a tough crust.

    Blog text (18)

  • This may seem like a no-brainer, but many injuries result from overworking certain body parts while exercising.

    Blog text (24)

  • Least favorite coaches were remembered as stressing winning at any cost, lying to players, demanding respect without earning it, and overworking players.

    Academic text (1993)

  • When making bread, be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can make it tough.

  • The teacher reminded the students that if they overwork their assignments, the quality will suffer.

  • If you overwork your muscles during training, you may end up causing injury.

Synonyms

to overload
vsto overwork
93 3.7

To put too much into something so it cannot work properly

focuses on repeated use that degrades quality rather than sudden failure
to overdo
vsto overwork
58 3.6

Do something too much, more than needed

refers specifically to repeated use that harms an item's quality
to wear down
vsto overwork
27 4.1

Slowly make a person or thing weaker by repeated pressure

means excessive use that reduces quality or value over time
to wear out
vsto overwork
26 2.3

To get damaged or stop working after long use

describes the action of using something too long so quality falls
to overburden
vsto overwork
12 5.9

To give someone too much work or responsibility

is about overusing objects so they lose quality, not assigning tasks
to overdrive
vsto overwork
1 6.3

To make someone work too hard until they are tired

is about long or repeated use that gradually reduces quality
to overhandle
vsto overwork
7.0

Touch or use something too much so it gets damaged

is excessive or prolonged use that lowers an item's quality

Antonyms

to preserve
496 3.4

To keep people and things safe from harm or change

to conserve
63 3.4

Protect something from harm or waste by using it carefully

How Worn

to ruin
∞ 2.0
to wear out
26 2.3
to use up
69 2.7
to overwork
2 4.4

Surface Forms

overwork infinitive
overworked past
overworked past participle
overworking present participle
overworks third person singular

Morphology

overwork = work (transparent) = over + work

The verb is formed by productive prefixation 'over-' meaning 'excessively' applied to 'work', extending naturally to 'use something too much'.

Etymology

Overwork uses the same parts over- 'too much' and work 'to put effort into something', so to overwork an idea, a story, or dough is to use it so much that it loses quality.