overstretchedadj.
/ˌəʊvəˈstrɛtʃt/, U.S. /ˌoʊvərˈstrɛtʃt/ Stretched excessively; subjected to excessive strain or demand.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > expansion or enlargement > [adjective] > distending > stretched > excessively
overstretcheda1628
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > [adjective] > increasing in length > drawing out forcibly or tightly > drawn out forcibly or tightly > excessively
overstretcheda1628
overstrained1895
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > misuse > [adjective] > misused > misapplied > stretched beyond proper limits
strained1609
overstretcheda1628
screwed1646
a1628 F. Greville Treat. Monarchy vii, in Remains (1670) 78 Those over-stretched, or relaxed strings.
1731 P. Frowde Philotas i. 14 His gentle Temper, which long stood the Trial, Broke by thy o'erstretch'd Pride, and haughty Bearing.
1768 H. Brooke Fool of Quality III. xiv. 75 The already over-stretched thread of his age and infirmities.
1792 M. Wollstonecraft Vindic. Rights Woman i. iv This overstretched sensibility naturally relaxes the other powers of the mind, and prevents intellect from attaining that sovereignty which it ought to attain.
1828 E. Bulwer-Lytton Pelham II. xxvi. 289 ‘Error, indeed!’ cried Mrs. Clutterbuck, in a sharp, overstretched, querulous falsetto.
1861 W. S. Perry Hist. Church Eng. I. xiv. 519 One of the suicidal counsels of an overstretched and impossible conformity.
1954 B. H. Liddell Hart Strategy iii. xvii. 290 The overstretched defence was not only thin but had little depth.
1995 Daily Express 17 Mar. 1/4 Tory MPs are worried by the extra costs to Britain's already overstretched £80 billion-a-year welfare budget.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.a1628