over·stretch
ˈō-vər-ˌstrech 
plural overstretches
: the act or an instance of stretching something beyond normal limits
an overstretch of political power
… a classic case of military and economic overstretch.—
Robert G. Patman
Robert G. Patman
over·stretch
ˌō-vər-ˈstrech
overstretched; overstretching
: to stretch (something or someone) to excess or beyond normal limits
Worsted yarn, and any yarn inclined to "kink" should be weighted slightly as it dries, but take care not to overstretch the wool.—Eileen Hobden
Eileen Hobdentemperature changes causing the tire to overstretch
They overstretched [=overextended] themselves financially.
Too few staff means overstretched [=overburdened] crews and patients waiting for longer.—Christina McAnea
Christina McAneaExamples of overstretch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Salam Fayyad, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
The Navy’s overstretch may have also contributed to a pair of tragic accidents.
—Gil Barndollar, TIME, 12 Feb. 2024
Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2025
Many parts of American life—from our blandly technocratic education systems to wages and work patterns that leave workers feeling overstretched and desperate—reflect and encourage a society based on individual competition.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overstretch
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Washington’s Looming Middle Eastern Quagmire The war in Gaza, American overstretch, and the case for retrenchment.
—Salam Fayyad, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
The Navy’s overstretch may have also contributed to a pair of tragic accidents.
—Gil Barndollar, TIME, 12 Feb. 2024
Verb
That would be true even if not for the fact that the United States is overstretched trying to manage a whole range of security problems across the globe.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2025
Many parts of American life—from our blandly technocratic education systems to wages and work patterns that leave workers feeling overstretched and desperate—reflect and encourage a society based on individual competition.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overstretch
Cite this Entry
“Overstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overstretch. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share