overstress

Meanings

verboverstress (third-person singular simple present overstresses, present participle overstressing, simple past and past participle overstressed)

present singular third person overstresses · participle present overstressing · participle past overstressed · past overstressed

transitiveTo place excessive emphasis on something.
transitiveTo place excessive physical stress on something, especially to such an extent that it deforms or breaks.
[...] the complete frame will withstand a standing and buffing load of 200 tons without overstressing.
1960 July, “The first G.E.C. 25 kV. a.c. electric locomotives for B.R.”, in Trains Illustrated, page 421
transitiveTo stress someone excessively.
“I think we better not catch him anymore right now,” said the vet. “We don’t want to overstress him.”
1989, Don C. Reed, “The Showdown”, in The Dolphins and Me, New York, N.Y.: Scholastic, published January 1990, →ISBN, page 41
2 more examples
Susannah, I’m afraid my husband’s been ill for some time—a heart condition. I don’t want to overstress him.
2006, Debbie Macomber, chapter 33, in Susannah’s Garden (Blossom Street; 3), Don Mills, Ont.: MIRA Books, →ISBN, page 292
‘And sir, what about my new schemes of things?’ ‘Try them. No harm if you do it along with regular medication, but don’t overstress her.’
2021, Ddeepak Arora, chapter 4, in When Mornings Sleep, Berlin: Verlag GD Publishing Ltd. & Co KG, →ISBN