Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
⚠️ Too high speed 🚗 To go too fast
to overspeed

to overspeed

6.9
To make a machine or vehicle run faster than its safe speed limit
  • verb
  • /ˌoʊvərˈspiːd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sobrecargar
  • To prevent damage, the company advises operators to avoid overspeeding the machinery.

Examples

  • The mechanic warned the driver not to overspeed the engine during the test.

  • But the jeep driver in which she rode was overspeeding, leading to a gruesome accident.

    Blog text (25)

  • Wind tunnel tests at Wichita State University in Kansas have confirmed the ability of ailerons to control power and prevent the rotor from overspeeding.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The pilot was instructed not to overspeed the aircraft during the ascent.

Synonyms

to speed
vsto overspeed
137 1.0

To move or travel quickly, often faster than allowed

is specifically about operating beyond permitted safe rates rather than general quick movement
to overrun
vsto overspeed
4 5.3

Go past a limit or planned time

is about exceeding safe operating rates specifically in machines and vehicles
to overclock
vsto overspeed
  • Specialized
3 8.5

Make a computer part run faster than the maker recommends to improve performance

is broader, focusing on unsafe or permitted operating rates for machines and vehicles
to overdrive
vsto overspeed
1 6.3

To make someone work too hard until they are tired

is limited to exceeding safe operating rates for machines and vehicles rather than general overuse
to drive like crazy
vsto overspeed
  • Informal
6.0

To make a car go very fast and in a dangerous way

is a technical term for unsafe operating limits rather than reckless vehicle use

Antonyms

to slow down
687 1.4

To move or act more slowly

to decelerate
10 5.5

To slow down

How Fast

to overspeed
  • Specialized
6.9
to speed up
161 2.5

Surface Forms

overspeed infinitive
overspending present participle
overspeeds third person singular
oversped past
oversped past participle

Morphology

overspeed = speed (transparent) = over + speed

The verb meaning 'cause to exceed a safe speed' is a straightforward action derived from 'over' + 'speed', so learners can infer it from the parts.

Etymology

Overspeed is made from over ('above' or 'too much') and speed ('fast'), the same pieces you see in everyday words. To overspeed something is to make it run 'too fast', which is why we warn that it can damage engines or parts.