overmedicate

verb

over·​med·​i·​cate ˌō-vər-ˈme-də-ˌkāt How to pronounce overmedicate (audio)
overmedicated; overmedicating

transitive verb

: to administer too much medication to
Avoid overmedicating patients prior to surgery.
: to prescribe too much medication for
But some doctors are increasingly wary about overmedicating people with osteopenia.Harvard Health Letter
overmedicated adjective
But the question remains: Is America grossly overmedicated? Andrea Bartz
overmedication noun
Many others are victims of a system that traffics in superfluous equipment, unnecessary and potentially harmful surgery, overmedication, and questionable procedures. Consumer Reports

Examples of overmedicate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web If a cat is above or below the average weight range, it can be overmedicated or undermedicated. Jennifer Manfrin, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2023 The same has been reported at Torrance, where many say they’re overmedicated with unidentified pills. María Inés Taracena, The New Republic, 12 Apr. 2023 Editor’s note: In this Future View, students discuss being overmedicated. WSJ, 21 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overmedicate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overmedicate was in 1846

Dictionary Entries Near overmedicate

Cite this Entry

“Overmedicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overmedicate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

overmedicate

verb
over·​med·​i·​cate -ˈmed-i-ˌkāt How to pronounce overmedicate (audio)
overmedicated; overmedicating

transitive verb

: to administer too much medication to : prescribe too much medication for

intransitive verb

: to administer or prescribe too much medication
overmedication noun
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