overdo

[oh-ver-doo] / ˌoʊ vərˈdu /

VERB

go to extremes; carry too far

Synonyms

STRONGEST

exaggerate overestimate overplay overrate overreach overstate overuse overvalue

STRONG

amplify belabor fatigue hype magnify overburden overindulge overload overtax overtire overwork pressure puff stretch

WEAK

be intemperate bite off too much do to death drive oneself go overboard go too far lay it on make federal case not know when to stop pile on run into the ground run riot strain oneself talk big wear down wear oneself out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

play down

STRONG

compress decrease lessen

WEAK

ignore neglect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Because EMS lacks familiar markers for exhaustion—it’s hard to gauge effort with involuntary muscle contractions—people can unwittingly overdo it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

We tried very hard to find sound bites that demonstrated our points clearly, using enough examples to support it, but to not overdo it.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

“One of the best things about music’s potential to decrease dementia risk is that it is fun, can be interactive and you can’t overdo it,” Jaffa said.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 5, 2025

"I mean, I'm not going to overdo it, but I felt sorry for him because he's under pressure. People make mistakes."

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2025

“Don’t let your feelings make you too ambitious on this one, Kate. If you overdo the dose, you might hurt somebody.”

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart

Vocabulary lists containing overdo

Commonly Confused Words, List 2

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Commonly Confused Words, List 4

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Commonly Confused Words, List 8

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