overstrain

C1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˌoʊ.vɚˈstreɪn/ UK /ˌəʊ.vəˈstreɪn/ See IPA manual

Freq #152190

Meanings

1

verb
to subject a person, body part, resource, or ability to more strain than it can safely bear

Do not overstrain your back by lifting the crate alone.
2

verb
to stretch an interpretation, claim, or imaginative effort beyond what is reasonable

The elaborate explanation overstrains the available evidence.
3

noun
excessive physical or mental strain

Repeated overstrain left the climber's shoulder inflamed.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to subject a person, body... overburden overtax overwork

2 verb · to stretch an... force exaggerateoverextend

3 noun · excessive physical or... overexertionoverload

Opposites

rest relieveunderuse

Word family

Forms overstrained

Derived forms overstrainedoverstraining

Related forms strainoverexertionoverload

Etymology

Formed in English from over- ("excessively") + strain. The physical sense of imposing too much tension or effort was extended to resources, abilities, and interpretations that are pushed beyond reasonable limits.

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# overstrain

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌoʊ.vɚˈstreɪn/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌəʊ.vəˈstreɪn/
**Frequency rank:** 152190

## Meanings
1. to subject a person, body part, resource, or ability to more strain than it can safely bear
2. to stretch an interpretation, claim, or imaginative effort beyond what is reasonable
3. excessive physical or mental strain

## Examples
- Do not overstrain your back by lifting the crate alone.
- The elaborate explanation overstrains the available evidence.
- Repeated overstrain left the climber's shoulder inflamed.

## Synonyms
- overburden
- overwork
- overextend
- overtax

## Antonyms
- rest
- relieve
- underuse

## Derived Forms
- overstrained
- overstraining

## Related Forms
- strain
- overexertion
- overload

## Etymology
Formed in English from over- ("excessively") + strain. The physical sense of imposing too much tension or effort was extended to resources, abilities, and interpretations that are pushed beyond reasonable limits.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

markdown