overworked

IPA/ˌəʊvəˈwɜːkt/

KK[ˌovɚwˈɚkt]IPA/ˌəʊvərˈwɜːrkt/

overworkedpositive
more overworkedcomparative
most overworkedsuperlative

1.adjectiveB1

Definition

feeling tired or stressed because you have been given too much work or have been working for too many hours

Example

Hugo felt overworked and exhausted after finishing the annual report.

collocation: feel overworked

The nurses at the hospital said they were overworked and underpaid.

Common collocations

feel overworked
become overworked
constantly overworked
chronically overworked
overworked and underpaid

Synonyms

overburdened
emphasises a heavy load of responsibilities, not just long hours
overloaded
focuses on having too many tasks at once rather than working long hours
stretched
more informal; suggests resources or time are spread too thin

Antonyms

underworked
not having enough work to do

2.adjectiveB2

Definition

describing a word, phrase, or expression that has been repeated so many times that it no longer has a strong effect or meaning

Example

Words like 'amazing' and 'awesome' can feel overworked if you hear them every day.

pattern: [word/phrase] + feel(s) overworked

The phrase 'think outside the box' is so overworked that most people ignore it.

Common collocations

overworked phrase
overworked cliché
overworked expression
overworked metaphor

Synonyms

clichéd
more negative; suggests the expression is unoriginal and predictable
hackneyed
stronger disapproval; describes an idea or phrase that has lost all freshness
stale
focuses on the loss of impact through overuse

Antonyms

fresh
new and interesting
original
not copied from or based on something else

Usage Note

Only applies to language — words, phrases, metaphors, or plot devices. Does not describe people or objects.

overworkedpresent simple I / you / we / they
overworkeds3rd person singular
overworkeding-ing form
overworkededpast simple

1.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to make a person or group do so much work that they become tired, stressed, or unwell

Example

The construction company overworked its workers during the summer project.

pattern: [company] overworked [workers]

Ilan refused to overwork his team, knowing that rest improves productivity.

Common collocations

overwork employees
overwork the staff
overwork the team
accused of overworking
refuse to overwork

Synonyms

overburden
emphasises loading someone with too many responsibilities
exploit
stronger moral charge; implies unfair or selfish treatment
drive hard
more informal; suggests pushing someone relentlessly

Grammar Patterns

overwork + person/group

Usage Note

The object is always the person, animal, or group being made to work too hard. Frequently used in the passive or as an accusation (e.g. 'accused of overworking').

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1

Definition

to put too much time, effort, or energy into a task so that the result suffers or you become exhausted

Example

Ritu overworked the dough and it became tough to bake.

collocation: overwork dough / batter / mixture (food)

Lisa overworked herself preparing for the exam and ended up sick in bed.

reflexive: overwork + oneself

Common collocations

overwork the dough
overwork the sauce
overwork a scene
overwork oneself
overwork a muscle

Synonyms

overdo
broader; can apply to any activity, not just work
exhaust oneself
focuses on the physical result of too much effort
overexert
more formal; often used for physical effort

Antonyms

pace oneself
to work at a steady, manageable rate
take it easy
informal; to avoid hard work or stress

Grammar Patterns

overwork + object (task/material)

overwork + oneself

Usage Note

Often used with a reflexive pronoun (overwork oneself) to indicate the subject is both the worker and the one affected. The object can also be the task or material being worked on.

Common Mistakes

She overworked her employees for the exam.' (confusing with sense 1).

She overworked herself preparing for the exam.

sense 2 is about your own effort or your work on a task, not making others work.

3.verbtransitiveB1

Definition

to use something too much or too often, especially so that it wears out or loses its effect

Example

Élise overworked the printer and had to replace the cartridge by Friday.

collocation: overwork a machine / device

If you overwork a single argument in your essay, it sounds repetitive.

Common collocations

overwork the soil
overwork the land
overwork an argument
overwork an expression
overwork the same excuse

Synonyms

overuse
broader and more neutral; overwork implies excessive use that damages
wear out
focuses on the result: something breaks or becomes unusable
exhaust
suggests using up a supply completely

Antonyms

conserve
to use carefully so that something lasts
ration
to limit the use of something

Grammar Patterns

overwork + resource/word/thing

Usage Note

The object is typically a resource (land, soil, machine), a word or phrase, or an argument. Not used for people — for people, use sense 1.

Common Mistakes

He overworked his employees.' (meaning he used them too often as an excuse).

He overworked the same excuse.

sense 3 is about overusing things and resources, not making people work hard.

Word family

overwork
verbB1
overwork
nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe someone who has too much to do, but they differ in focus. Overworked (B1) is the most common and general — it emphasises working too many hours or too hard, often to the point of tiredness. Overburdened (B2) highlights a heavy load of responsibilities, not necessarily long hours; a person can be overburdened by a single huge task. Overloaded (B1–B2) suggests having too many things to deal with at the same time, like a truck carrying more than it can hold. Stretched (B2) is the most informal and implies that one's time, energy, or resources are spread too thin to cover everything. For example: 'The nurses felt overworked after double shifts.' 'He was overburdened with caring for his elderly parents.' 'My schedule is overloaded this week.' 'The small team was stretched across three different projects.'

overworked ↗overburdened ↗overloaded ↗stretched ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

constantly
chronically
badly
grossly
routinely

Phrases

feel overworked
get overworked
become overworked
overworked and underpaid

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in English from the prefix over- (meaning 'too much', from Old English ofer) and the past participle of work (from Old English weorc, meaning 'effort or activity'). The adjective use for 'working too much' dates back to the 17th century. The sense describing language worn out by overuse emerged in the 19th century as writers began applying the idea of exhaustion to words and phrases.

First known use

1530

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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overworked

overworked — adjective

1. feeling tired or stressed because you have been given too much work or have been

2. describing a word, phrase, or expression that has been repeated so many times th

Usage Note

overworked — verb

1. to make a person or group do so much work that they become tired, stressed, or u

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

2. to put too much time, effort, or energy into a task so that the result suffers o

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. to use something too much or too often, especially so that it wears out or loses

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Etymology

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