Overexertion: meaning, definitions and examples

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overexertion

 

[ ˌoʊvərɪɡˈzɜːrʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

physical activity

The act of putting too much physical effort or strain on the body, often resulting in fatigue, injury, or exhaustion.

Synonyms

exhaustion, fatigue, strain.

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Word Description / Examples
overexertion

Refers to pushing oneself too hard physically or mentally. Often used in medical or athletic contexts.

  • After hours of running without a break, he collapsed from overexertion
  • Doctors warned about the dangers of overexertion during intense workouts
exhaustion

Describes a state of extreme tiredness, either physical or mental, often after long periods of effort or stress.

  • After working a double shift, she felt a deep sense of exhaustion
  • The marathon left all the runners in a state of exhaustion
strain

Often refers to injury or stress on muscles or other parts of the body. Can also describe mental or emotional stress.

  • Lifting that heavy box incorrectly caused a muscle strain in his back
  • The constant arguments were putting a strain on their relationship
fatigue

General term for tiredness or lack of energy, can refer to both mental and physical states. Commonly used in medical, work, and daily life contexts.

  • He experienced muscle fatigue after lifting heavy weights
  • Long hours of studying can cause mental fatigue

Examples of usage

  • He suffered from overexertion after trying to lift heavy weights at the gym.
  • The doctor warned him about the dangers of overexertion during the marathon.
Context #2 | Noun

workplace

The excessive or unnecessary effort put into a task or job, often leading to burnout or decreased productivity.

Synonyms

burnout, excessive effort, overwork.

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Word Description / Examples
overexertion

This word is used when someone puts too much physical or mental strain on themselves, often leading to fatigue or injury.

  • He had to visit the doctor due to overexertion after running the marathon without proper training.
  • Overexertion at work can lead to stress and physical health issues.
burnout

This term is often used in professional settings to describe a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. It usually has a negative connotation.

  • After years of working late nights and weekends, she experienced burnout and decided to take a sabbatical.
  • Burnout is becoming increasingly common among healthcare workers during the pandemic.
overwork

This term describes working too much or too hard, often leading to physical and mental health issues. It likely has a negative connotation.

  • Overworking can lead to serious health problems, including chronic stress and heart disease.
  • The employees felt overworked and demanded better work-life balance.
excessive effort

This phrase is generally used to describe putting too much energy or force into a task, whether it is physical or mental. It can be both positive and negative, depending on the context.

  • The company succeeded thanks to the excessive effort put in by its dedicated team.
  • He injured his back due to excessive effort in lifting heavy weights.

Examples of usage

  • She experienced overexertion at work due to taking on too many projects at once.
  • Overexertion can result in stress and poor work-life balance.
Context #3 | Noun

sports

The state of pushing oneself beyond the limits of physical capacity during athletic activities, which can lead to injury or decreased performance.

Synonyms

athletic exhaustion, excessive training, physical strain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
overexertion

This term is commonly used in contexts where someone pushes themselves too hard physically and it results in harm or fatigue. It can be in everyday physical activities or sports.

  • He collapsed from overexertion during the marathon
  • Overexertion can lead to serious health problems
excessive training

This term is used to describe a situation where an individual trains too much, often leading to negative effects such as burnout or injury. It is usually associated with a structured workout or sports program.

  • The coach warned the team about the risks of excessive training
  • Excessive training can decrease performance
physical strain

This term describes a situation where the body undergoes stress or injury due to heavy physical activity or lifting heavy objects. It is often used in both medical and everyday contexts.

  • He pulled a muscle due to physical strain
  • To avoid physical strain, it’s important to stretch properly before exercise
athletic exhaustion

This phrase is often used in sports or fitness contexts to describe the extreme tiredness athletes experience after intense physical activity.

  • After the triathlon, she was suffering from athletic exhaustion
  • Proper rest is crucial to prevent athletic exhaustion

Examples of usage

  • Overexertion is a common issue among professional athletes training for competitions.
  • The coach emphasized the importance of avoiding overexertion to prevent sports injuries.

Translations

Translations of the word "overexertion" in other languages:

🇵🇹 esforço excessivo

🇮🇳 अत्यधिक परिश्रम

🇩🇪 Überanstrengung

🇮🇩 kelelahan berlebihan

🇺🇦 перенапруження

🇵🇱 przemęczenie

🇯🇵 過労 (かろう)

🇫🇷 surmenage

🇪🇸 sobreesfuerzo

🇹🇷 aşırı yorgunluk

🇰🇷 과로 (gwaro)

🇸🇦 إجهاد مفرط

🇨🇿 přepětí

🇸🇰 preťaženie

🇨🇳 过度劳累 (guòdù láolèi)

🇸🇮 preobremenitev

🇮🇸 ofreynsla

🇰🇿 шамадан тыс күш салу

🇬🇪 გადაღლა

🇦🇿 həddindən artıq yorulma

🇲🇽 sobreesfuerzo

Etymology

The term 'overexertion' originated in the mid-19th century, combining the prefix 'over-' meaning excessively or beyond, and 'exertion' meaning physical effort. It is often used in various contexts to describe the act of straining oneself beyond the normal limits of physical or mental capacity. Overexertion can lead to negative consequences such as fatigue, injury, or decreased performance, making it important to balance effort with rest and recovery.

See also: exercise, exert, exerting, exertion, exertiveness, overexert.