overtax

verb

over·​tax ˌō-vər-ˈtaks 

overtaxed; overtaxing

transitive verb

1

: to tax (someone or something) too heavily or beyond what is due

revenues raised through overtaxing the middle class

2

: to lay too heavy a burden or demand upon (someone or something)

exercises that overtax the muscles

overtaxing my patience

A fancy terminal with enough gates for all the planes, a work force that is alternately overtaxed and underemployed, and a high-tech baggage system all create high fixed costs.

—Marc Levinson et al.

overtaxation

ˌō-vər-tak-ˈsā-shən 

noun

Homelessness is worse here than anywhere in the country. The cost of living is out of control. Overtaxation is rampant. Infrastructure is crumbling.

—Eric Ryan

Examples of overtax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, much uncertainty loomed, with the manager remaining wary of overtaxing his bullpen for a potential Game 7 — while also not wanting to squander a chance to end the series in six. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024

And this season, with the rotation in tatters and the bullpen overtaxed, the more time off the better. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2024

Intelligence agencies are, to put it mildly, overtaxed. —Amy Zegart, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2022

Chronic inflammation, though, can overtax the immune system and lead to imbalances that may play a role in health issues ranging from arthritis to depression to heart disease. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1