overextend

Push beyond capacity

To overextend is to stretch beyond safe or sustainable limits.

The word applies to physical reach, financial commitments, or personal capacity: The company overextended itself with too many acquisitions.

Military forces overextend their supply lines; individuals overextend their credit.

The reflexive form—overextend oneself—is common: Don't overextend yourself trying to help everyone.

ambition

overreach

Exceed one's capacity

overconfident · overestimate · overpromise · overshoot · grandiose · unrealistic · miscalculate · overcommit · reckless · imprudent

physical

strain

Excessive stretching force

overexertion · sprain · pull · tear · hyperextension · muscle · overstrain · burnout · collapse · overwork

military

flank

Side of body

vulnerable · exposed · salient · logistics · reinforcements · campaign · conquest · occupation · garrison · overreach

resources

deplete

Greatly reduce supply

overload · scarce · shortage · overwhelm · drain · overallocate · capacity · bandwidth · ration · unsustainable

financial

bankrupt

Unable to repay debts

overleveraged · credit · borrowing · overdrawn · liabilities · mortgage · loans · indebted · default · creditors

Categories
Opposites
resource commitment

overextendhold back

Prevent forward movement

conserve · restrain · undercommit · pace oneself · play it safe

PHYSICAL REACH/STRETCH', where they are the same on the dimensions of 'PHYSICAL REACH/STRETCH

overextendretract

Withdraw something said

pull back · contract · withdraw · draw back · tuck in

strategic position

overextendconsolidate

Unite separate things

retrench · pull back · fortify · dig in · hold the line

Family

overextended, overextension, overextends, overextending

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G