Skip to main content
overutilization

overutilization

1 7.5
Using something too much makes it less useful
  • noun
  • /ˌoʊvərˌjuːtɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
  • US
translation icon : sobrecarga
  • Misaligned incentives and overutilization in the healthcare system do not affect only the way providers behave.

Examples

  • ACOs are designed to reduce overutilization of medical services and unnecessary spending in healthcare.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The driver of excessive health costs isn't overutilization of care; it's too much administrative cost and pharmaceutical and hospital price gouging.

    Blog text (27)
  • Because of overutilization by various user groups in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, some fish stocks are stressed and require management attention.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Overtreatment and overutilization of medical services are almost constant problems in Texas.

    Academic text (2011)
  • This situation mandates that coaches play more of a role as motivators than commanders, and too often leads to overutilization of external rewards (social benefits).

    Academic text (2004)
  • There are only minimal data to support the fears of those concerned with overutilization and runaway costs; thus, the issue is often framed as one involving predicting and planning for regular costs, partly due to a highly skewed distribution in utilization patterns.

    Academic text (1994)
  • A recent advocate is the Social Security Council's chairperson, whose goal is to restructure the nation's fragmented health care system into a coherent and efficient whole that would provide all needed services to every American and curb overutilization and medical inflation (Rich, 1989).

    Academic text (1990)
  • The overutilization of medical services can lead to increased healthcare costs.

  • To combat overutilization, the clinic established guidelines for necessary treatments.

  • Environmental overutilization can result in the depletion of natural resources.

Synonyms

overuse
vsoverutilization
16 3.8

Using something too often so it becomes harmful or less effective

is the process of using until effectiveness, productivity, or value drops
overconsumption
vsoverutilization
3 4.9

Using more food, goods, or natural resources than you need causes harm

concerns decline in usefulness after heavy use rather than only excess amount
overexploitation
vsoverutilization
1 7.4

Using a natural resource so much that it becomes damaged or runs out

highlights reduced effectiveness or value from use rather than full resource depletion
oversaturation
vsoverutilization
1 6.9

Too much of something so people cannot handle it or it does not work well

centres on impairment from overuse rather than mere excess presence
overabuse
vsoverutilization
7.2

An act of using something too much so it causes harm

focuses on gradual loss of effectiveness from heavy use rather than mistreatment

Antonyms

A situation where people do not use something as much as they should

How Much

overutilization
  • US
1 7.5
utilization
  • US
27 4.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

overutilization = utilization (transparent) = over + utilize + ation

The noun is formed by prefixing 'over-' (excessive) to 'utilization' (the act of using), producing a clear meaning of excessive use.

Etymology

Overutilization breaks into over- meaning 'too much' and utilize meaning 'to use', the same idea as the common word use. Think of it like a tool or road that wears out from too much use, so overutilization means using something so much that it becomes less effective or loses value.