Meaning & use
overstretched
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Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
Having too much work, demand, or pressure for the available money, people, or time.
Grammar: Often used after be or become: the service is overstretched.
Patterns
- be overstretched
- become overstretched
- an overstretched system
The hospital was overstretched during the winter, with too few nurses for the number of patients.
Many families feel overstretched by rising food and energy costs.
adjectivenot comparable
Stretched or pulled too far, especially so that something may break or lose shape.
Grammar: Used for physical things like ropes, muscles, or fabric.
Patterns
- an overstretched rope
- overstretched muscles
The overstretched rope snapped under the weight of the load.
After the long run, his overstretched muscles were sore for days.
verbtransitive
Past tense and past participle of overstretch; stretched too far or used more than is reasonable.
Grammar: This is the past form of overstretch, which takes an object: he overstretched his budget.
Patterns
- overstretch something
- be overstretched
The company overstretched its resources and had to cut several projects.
She overstretched her budget on the holiday and had to borrow money.
Word forms
| base form | overstretch |
|---|---|
| third person singular | overstretches |
| past tense | overstretched |
| past participle | overstretched |
| -ing form | overstretching |
Common combinations
- overstretched hospital
- The overstretched hospital had to cancel some routine operations.
- overstretched budget
- The city has an overstretched budget and cannot afford new parks.
- overstretched staff
- Overstretched staff are working longer hours to cover the shortage.
- feel overstretched
- Many teachers feel overstretched by the extra paperwork.
Synonyms and how they differ
- strained
- Often used for relationships or resources under pressure; overstretched suggests there is not enough of something to meet demand.
- overburdened
- Focuses on carrying too heavy a load, often of work or responsibility; overstretched is broader and can refer to money or time.
Opposites
Word family
- overstretch verb
- To stretch too far or use more than is available.
- overstretching noun
- The act of stretching or using something too much.
Practice
After years of cuts, the local health service is badly ______ and cannot treat everyone quickly.
Choose one answer.
The adverb 'badly' and the linking verb 'is' need the adjective 'overstretched'. 'Overstretching' would need a form of be plus -ing for a continuous passive, which does not fit here, and 'overstretch' and 'overstretches' are present forms.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “overstretched”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.