overtax
verb
over·tax
ˌō-vər-ˈtaks 
overtaxed; overtaxing
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.
Marc Levinson et al.
overtaxation
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
Eric Ryan
Examples of overtax in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Texans are overtaxed, and Hollywood doesn't need your money!
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Los Angeles had plenty of water to fight fires, but hydrants ran dry because the system was designed for fighting individual building fires, not massive wildfires, and was overtaxed.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
But many Canadians have soured on their country’s immigrant-friendly approach, believing that newcomers have helped drive up the cost of housing and overtaxed the health care system.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Sometimes simply snapping a photo of the item is a way to preserve the memory without overtaxing your storage space.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overtax 
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Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Los Angeles had plenty of water to fight fires, but hydrants ran dry because the system was designed for fighting individual building fires, not massive wildfires, and was overtaxed.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
But many Canadians have soured on their country’s immigrant-friendly approach, believing that newcomers have helped drive up the cost of housing and overtaxed the health care system.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Sometimes simply snapping a photo of the item is a way to preserve the memory without overtaxing your storage space.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overtax
Dictionary Entries Near overtax
Cite this Entry
“Overtax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtax. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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