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Overutilization: meaning, definitions and examples

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overutilization

 

[ ˌoʊvərˌjuːtɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

healthcare

The excessive or unnecessary use of a medical service or treatment, leading to increased costs and potential harm to patients.

Synonyms

excessive use, overuse, unwarranted utilization.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
overutilization

Use this term in formal or academic settings, especially in reference to resources or services being used more than necessary, often leading to inefficiencies or negative outcomes.

  • The overutilization of medical imaging has led to increased healthcare costs without significant benefits to patient outcomes
excessive use

This phrase is suitable for everyday conversation and written communication when describing something being used beyond normal or acceptable limits.

  • Excessive use of social media can lead to reduced productivity and mental health issues
unwarranted utilization

Best used in formal, academic, or professional settings to highlight that the use of something is not justified or necessary, often carrying a critical tone.

  • The unwarranted utilization of company funds for personal expenses can lead to disciplinary action
overuse

Appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, often referring to repeated or continuous use of something to an unhealthy or detrimental extent.

  • Overuse of antibiotics has contributed to the rise of resistant bacterial strains

Examples of usage

  • Overutilization of antibiotics has contributed to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
  • Overutilization of imaging tests like CT scans can expose patients to unnecessary radiation.
  • The overutilization of certain surgical procedures may result in higher complication rates.
Context #2 | Noun

resources

The excessive use or consumption of resources beyond what is necessary or sustainable, leading to environmental degradation and depletion.

Synonyms

excessive consumption, resource depletion, unsustainable use.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
overutilization

This term is commonly used in technical, environmental, and resource management fields to describe the act of using resources beyond their sustainable limits.

  • The overutilization of groundwater has led to a significant drop in water table levels.
  • Overutilization of healthcare services can result in increased costs and resource strain.
excessive consumption

This phrase is often used in everyday language and discussions about lifestyle, economics, and sustainability. It refers to the act of using more resources than necessary or recommended.

  • Excessive consumption of junk food can lead to health problems.
  • The excessive consumption of electricity during peak hours can cause power outages.
unsustainable use

This phrase is commonly used in environmental and sustainability discussions to describe practices that can lead to the exhaustion of resources or long-term damage.

  • Unsustainable use of agricultural land can result in soil erosion and loss of fertility.
  • Fisheries face collapse due to the unsustainable use of fish stocks.
resource depletion

This term is typically used in environmental science, economics, and sustainability discussions to describe the reduction of natural resources to a level that is unsustainable.

  • Deforestation contributes to resource depletion and loss of biodiversity.
  • Resource depletion of mineral deposits will eventually lead to the need for alternative materials.

Examples of usage

  • Overutilization of water resources in arid regions can lead to desertification.
  • The overutilization of fossil fuels contributes to climate change.
  • Governments must address the overutilization of natural resources to ensure future sustainability.

Translations

Translations of the word "overutilization" in other languages:

🇵🇹 uso excessivo

🇮🇳 अधिप्रयोग

🇩🇪 Übernutzung

🇮🇩 penggunaan berlebihan

🇺🇦 надмірне використання

🇵🇱 nadmierne wykorzystywanie

🇯🇵 過剰利用 (かじょうりよう)

🇫🇷 surutilisation

🇪🇸 sobreutilización

🇹🇷 aşırı kullanım

🇰🇷 과도한 사용 (kwadohan sayong)

🇸🇦 الإفراط في الاستخدام

🇨🇿 nadměrné využívání

🇸🇰 nadmerné využívanie

🇨🇳 过度使用 (guòdù shǐyòng)

🇸🇮 prekomerna uporaba

🇮🇸 ofnotkun

🇰🇿 шамадан тыс пайдалану

🇬🇪 ზედმეტი გამოყენება

🇦🇿 həddindən artıq istifadə

🇲🇽 sobreutilización

Etymology

The term 'overutilization' originated in the healthcare industry to describe the excessive use of medical services or treatments. It has since been adopted in various fields to denote the excessive consumption or depletion of resources beyond sustainable levels. The concept highlights the importance of responsible utilization and the need to balance efficiency with conservation.