overstretched

USAGE SUMMARY

"overstretched" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who is working too hard or has too many commitments, or to a situation that has become too difficult to manage. For example, "She was feeling overstretched after taking on too many extra responsibilities at work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Officially, Greece allows only seven days on its soil, but on Kos the administrative infrastructure is overstretched and what had taken two days is taking longer.

The Guardian

The system couldn't cope – Essex only had six modems and these were quickly overstretched.

The Guardian - Tech

However, he said the major medical organisations, Médecins Sans Frontières, the Red Cross and the International Medical Corps, were overstretched and could not take on another treatment centre.

The Guardian

Its borders are porous, the army is overstretched and its 16m citizens are spread over an area twice the size of France.

The Economist

Despite the need of some banks for cash as the end of the quarter approached, the central bank sat on its hands, allowing rates to spike and signalling its determination to restrain the reckless growth of credit.Letting interbank rates spike is a brutally effective, if crude, way to punish overstretched lenders; it may also have sent a useful message to profligate local governments.

The Economist

Less research cash also means that there are fewer graduate students to teach undergraduates leading to faculty time being overstretched.

The Economist

Fortis, a Belgo-Dutch bank overstretched by its role in acquiring ABN AMRO, is now part-owned by the Benelux governments.

The Economist

In public, at least, American officials say they recognise that Pakistani forces are overstretched.

The Economist

British forces are overstretched and have struggled to adapt to modern counter-insurgency campaigns.

The Economist

The bank for its part realises that getting national parliaments' approval for sending more money to international institutions will be hard at a time when governments' finances are so overstretched.

The Economist

The Chinese withdrew to Tibet, their superiority established but their supply lines overstretched, barely a fortnight after they had come.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "overstretched" as a standalone term without providing context. Describe the consequences of being "overstretched", such as reduced efficiency, increased errors, or burnout, to emphasize the significance of the issue.

Common error

While both terms relate to pressure, "overstretched" focuses on resources or capacity being exceeded, while "stressed" primarily refers to emotional or mental strain. Use "stressed" when describing personal feelings, and reserve "overstretched" for situations involving limited resources or excessive demands.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overstretched" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a noun that is extended beyond its normal or intended capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overstretched" functions as an adjective indicating that something is extended beyond its capacity, often implying strain or inefficiency. It's widely used in news and business contexts to describe situations where resources or personnel are under excessive strain. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is used correctly in many contexts. When writing, consider the specific context and consequences of being "overstretched" to ensure clarity. Alternatives include ""stretched thin"" and ""overburdened"", but choose the term that best reflects the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stretched thin

Implies resources or attention are spread too thinly, leading to reduced effectiveness in each area.

overburdened

More directly expresses having too much to handle, emphasizing the excess of tasks or responsibilities.

overtasked

Emphasizes that someone has been given too many tasks, similar to being overburdened but more task-specific.

strained

Indicates a state of being stretched or pushed to the limit, similar to being "overstretched" but can also imply damage or weakening.

at full stretch

Describes a state where one is using all available resources or effort, bordering on the point of being "overstretched".

extended beyond capacity

Focuses on exceeding the maximum limit of what can be handled or delivered effectively.

burdened

Highlights the weight of responsibilities or demands, emphasizing the difficulty and pressure experienced.

pressed for resources

Indicates a lack of sufficient resources to meet demands, leading to a state of being "overstretched".

pushed to the limit

Highlights the intensity and pressure of operating at the edge of one's capabilities.

maxed out

Suggests reaching the maximum capacity or limit, often used in more informal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "overstretched" in a sentence?

You can use "overstretched" to describe a situation where resources or personnel are strained beyond their capacity. For example, "The hospital staff is "overstretched" due to the influx of patients."

What are some alternatives to saying a team is "overstretched"?

Alternatives include "stretched thin", "overburdened", or "at full stretch" depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

Is it better to say "overstretched resources" or "strained resources"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "overstretched resources" emphasizes that resources are being used beyond their intended capacity, while "strained resources" highlights the pressure and potential damage this overuse is causing. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "overwhelmed" and "overstretched"?

"Overwhelmed" refers to a feeling of being burdened emotionally or mentally, whereas "overstretched" refers to the state of resources or personnel being extended beyond their capacity. You might feel "overwhelmed" when your team is "overstretched".