overdo
verb
over·do ˌō-vər-ˈdü 
overdid ˌō-vər-ˈdid ; overdone ˌō-vər-ˈdən ; overdoing ˌō-vər-ˈdü-iŋ ; overdoes ˌō-vər-ˈdəz
; overdone ˌō-vər-ˈdən ; overdoing ˌō-vər-ˈdü-iŋ ; overdoes ˌō-vər-ˈdəz
1
a
: to do in excess
Exercise regularly, but don't overdo it.
b
: to use to excess
had overdone it with the decorations
c
2
: to cook too long
3
: exhaust
: to go to extremes
Examples of overdo in a Sentence
You should exercise every day, but don't overdo it. The acting in that play was badly overdone. Don't overdo the salt in this recipe. The cook overdid the hamburgers.
Recent Examples on the Web
But nighttime pain that woke me every few hours was likely from overdoing, Bugbee’s nurse explained. —
Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026 Be careful to avoid using salt near trees and other plants, and don’t overdo it. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026 That means proper cleaning and not overdoing frequency. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026 Fertilizing can be beneficial as well—but don't overdo it. —Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overdo
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.
Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026 Be careful to avoid using salt near trees and other plants, and don’t overdo it. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026 That means proper cleaning and not overdoing frequency. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026 Fertilizing can be beneficial as well—but don't overdo it. —Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overdo
Cite this Entry
“Overdo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/overdo. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overdo
verb
over·do -ˈdü
1
: to do too much
overdoes it getting ready for a party
2
: exaggerate
overdo praise
3
: to cook too long
meat that is overdone
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