overstretched
Extended beyond capacity
Overstretched describes resources, capacities, or systems extended beyond sustainable limits.
An overstretched budget can't cover expenses.
Overstretched staff are handling more than they reasonably can.
The word often appears in discussions of military deployment, healthcare systems, or personal finances: The department is dangerously overstretched.
The implication is that something will give—quality will suffer, or collapse will follow.
Stretched beyond usual dimensions
- distendedSwollen from pressure within
- strainedUnder uncomfortable tension
- tautStretched under tension
- extendedLengthened in time or space
pulled · thinned · tensioned · elastic · rubber-band · snapped · torn · frayed
Chronic occupational depletion
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- depletedSeverely reduced or emptied
- drainedEmptied of resources
- fatiguedDrained of energy
worn-out · spent · overworked · overwhelmed · taxed · run-down · sapped · weary
Carrying more than manageable
- overcommittedPledged beyond capacity
- overloadedBurdened past capacity
- understaffedInsufficient employees for workload
- underfundedInsufficiently financially supported
maxed-out · strained · insufficient · scarce · squeezed · rationed · depleted · deficit
Out in open
- weakenedMade less capable
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- thinSmall in diameter
- compromisedMade vulnerable to harm
susceptible · precarious · at-risk · unstable · shaky · tenuous · brittle · unprotected
Went past a limit
- breachedBroke past a barrier
- oversteppedWent past acceptable limits
- pushedApplied pressure to move
- boundaryLine marking a limit
threshold · overreached · overshot · unsustainable · untenable · precarious · maxed · limit
elongated
Stretched beyond usual dimensions
extended · pulled · thinned · tensioned · elastic · rubber-band · snapped · torn · frayed · weakened
burnout
Chronic occupational depletion
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- depletedSeverely reduced or emptied
- drainedEmptied of resources
fatigued · worn-out · spent · overworked · overwhelmed · taxed · run-down · sapped · weary · enervated
overburdened
Carrying more than manageable
- overcommittedPledged beyond capacity
- overloadedBurdened past capacity
- understaffedInsufficient employees for workload
underfunded · maxed-out · strained · insufficient · scarce · squeezed · rationed · depleted · deficit · shortfall
exposed
Out in open
compromised · susceptible · precarious · at-risk · unstable · shaky · tenuous · brittle · unprotected · endangered
exceeded
Went past a limit
- breachedBroke past a barrier
- oversteppedWent past acceptable limits
- pushedApplied pressure to move
boundary · threshold · overreached · overshot · unsustainable · untenable · precarious · maxed · limit · ceiling
- maxed outtapped out, topped out, maximal, at capacity, pushed to the limit
- military forcesarmy, allied forces, soldiers, troops, coalition forces
overstretchedslack
Absence of tautness
relaxed · loose · limp · contracted · compressed
overstretchedunderutilized
Insufficiently put to work
flush · comfortable · sustainable · manageable · underworked
overstretchedrelaxed
Free of stress
rested · unburdened · at ease · comfortable · refreshed