overstress I. \| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷\transitive verb Etymology:over (I) + stress 1.: to stress too much < impossible to overstress the point — New Republic > 2.: to deform (a metal) permanently by a stress greater than the elastic limit II. \ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷, ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\noun : excessive stress