overproduce

verb

over·​pro·​duce ˌō-vər-prə-ˈdüs 

-prō-,

-ˈdyüs

overproduced; overproducing

transitive + intransitive

: to produce an excessive amount (of something)

The drug prevents pimples by shrinking the glands attached to hair follicles that, in acne sufferers, overproduce an oily substance known as sebum, which can clog pores.

—Mary Duenwald

… if soils are too fertile, the vines can overproduce, leading to vegetal aromas and flavors.

—Michael Schachner

GM also undermined the resale value of its models by overproducing them and giving them away at fire-sale prices.

—Keith Naughton et al.

… encourages farmers to overproduce, which further drives prices down …

—Newsweek

Examples of overproduce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many wine lovers would argue that Merlot needed such a correction; the varietal was overproduced, blah and unremarkable. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

Money is funneled into those products that can be scaled most rapidly, forcing manufacturers to overproduce and then survive on the slim margins that can be reaped from dumping onto the international market. —Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2024

Still, the brand is sure not to overproduce, sticking with classic staples rather than rushing to be on-trend. —Samantha Sutton, StyleCaster, 15 July 2024

Lupus overproduces specific cells that attack the body’s organs and tissues. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

overproduce

transitive verb

over·​pro·​duce -prə-ˈd(y)üs, -prō- 

overproduced; overproducing

: to produce to excess

mice genetically altered to overproduce beta-amyloid

—Richard Saltus

overproduction

-ˈdək-shən 

noun