overstress

Verb

overstress (third-person singular simple present overstresses, present participle overstressing, simple past and past participle overstressed)

1. (transitive) To place excessive emphasis on something.
2. (transitive) To place excessive physical stress on something, especially to such an extent that it deforms or breaks.
   • [...] the complete frame will withstand a standing and buffing load of 200 tons without overstressing.1960 July, “The first G.E.C. 25 kV. a.c. electric locomotives for B.R.”, in Trains Illustrated, page 421
3. (transitive) To stress someone excessively.
   • “I think we better not catch him anymore right now,” said the vet. “We don’t want to overstress him.”1989, Don C. Reed, “The Showdown”, in The Dolphins and Me, New York, N.Y.: Scholastic, published January 1990, →ISBN, page 41
   • Susannah, I’m afraid my husband’s been ill for some time—a heart condition. I don’t want to overstress him.2006, Debbie Macomber, chapter 33, in Susannah’s Garden (Blossom Street; 3), Don Mills, Ont.: MIRA Books, →ISBN, page 292