overusing
Wearing something out
Overusing is using something too much or too often, to the point of diminishing effectiveness or causing harm.
A writer overusing adjectives weakens their prose.
Someone overusing pain medication risks dependency.
Critics accused the director of overusing slow motion.
The word implies excess that undermines purpose.
Deteriorate through use
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- strainExcessive stretching force
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- deteriorateGrow worse over time
degrade · erode · damage · burnout · overwork · overtire · run down · grind down
Use incorrectly
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- mishandleManage incompetently or roughly
- overapplyApply too much
misemploy · stretch · overextend · strain · distort · corrupt · pervert · bastardize
Surpassing reasonable bounds
- immoderateBeyond reasonable bounds
- overindulgentExcessively lenient or gratifying
- extravagantExceeding sensible bounds
- wastefulUsing resources carelessly
profligate · inordinate · too much · overkill · oversaturation · overdoing · overapplication · overreliance
Channel for wastewater
diminish · spend · squander · waste · expend · use up · run through · burn through
Done by routine
- compulsiveUnable to stop oneself
- chronicPersisting over time
- repetitiveMarked by recurrence
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
addictive · ingrained · automatic · unthinking · reflexive · falling back on · leaning on · crutch
wear out
Deteriorate through use
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- strainExcessive stretching force
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
deteriorate · degrade · erode · damage · burnout · overwork · overtire · run down · grind down · fray
misapply
Use incorrectly
overapply · misemploy · stretch · overextend · strain · distort · corrupt · pervert · bastardize · cheapen
excessive
Surpassing reasonable bounds
- immoderateBeyond reasonable bounds
- overindulgentExcessively lenient or gratifying
- extravagantExceeding sensible bounds
wasteful · profligate · inordinate · too much · overkill · oversaturation · overdoing · overapplication · overreliance · overexposure
drain
Channel for wastewater
sap · diminish · spend · squander · waste · expend · use up · run through · burn through · empty
habitual
Done by routine
- compulsiveUnable to stop oneself
- chronicPersisting over time
- repetitiveMarked by recurrence
constant · addictive · ingrained · automatic · unthinking · reflexive · falling back on · leaning on · crutch · go-to
- resource useconsumption, recycling, conservation, waste, efficiency
- depletingdepleting, exhausting, draining, consuming, expending
overusingunderusing
Not fully employing
underutilizing · neglecting · sparingly · ignoring · abstaining
overusingconserving
Protecting from depletion
rationing · sparingly · conservatively · preserving · economizing
using, usage, abusive, reuse, overuse, abusing, overused, reused, reuses