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Definition of overdevelop

overdevelop

/ˌoʊvɚdɪˈvɛləp/
o · ver · de · vel · op
Adjective:overdeveloped
•
Past Simple:overdeveloped
•
Past Participle:overdeveloped
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Present Participle:overdeveloping
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overdevelop Lexical Profile

overdevelop Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To build upon or urbanize a piece of land or region to an excessive or harmful degree.

Example

"Environmentalists warned that the city council's new zoning laws would overdevelop the fragile coastal wetlands."

2

To cause or allow (a body part, muscle, faculty, or idea) to grow, strengthen, or elaborate excessively.

Example

"Competitive rowers must balance their training routines so they do not overdevelop their upper back muscles at the expense of flexibility."

3

To treat (photographic film, plates, or paper) with developing chemicals for too long or at too high a temperature, resulting in excessive density or contrast.

Example

"If you overdevelop the black-and-white negative in the darkroom, the highlights will become completely opaque and lose their detail."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for overdevelop

• Rhymes for overdevelop

• Nearby Words

overdesign
overdetailed
overdetermine
overdevelop
overdeveloped
overdevelopment
overdiagnose

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Overdevelop. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/overdevelop
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