overdrive
noun
over·drive
ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv 
1
: an automotive transmission gear that transmits to the drive shaft a speed greater than engine speed
2
: a state of heightened activity
going into rhetorical overdrive
Examples of overdrive in a Sentence
He put the car into overdrive.
His acting career is in overdrive.
The reporters went into overdrive to finish their stories on time.
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump’s years-long bid to take control of the world’s largest island has kicked into overdrive in recent weeks.
—
Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025
The league’s new national media deals, which take effect next season, are worth more than double its current package—sending a money-making machine into overdrive.
—Brett Knight, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
An insurance meltdown kicked into overdrive by the latest fires would likely have far-reaching consequences.
—Jovi Dai, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2025
Rumors of an engagement to longtime boyfriend Tom Holland remain unconfirmed, but try telling that to the legions of Zendaya fans, whose rabid speculation kicked into overdrive on social media before the Golden Globes telecast had ended.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overdrive 
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Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025
The league’s new national media deals, which take effect next season, are worth more than double its current package—sending a money-making machine into overdrive.
—Brett Knight, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
An insurance meltdown kicked into overdrive by the latest fires would likely have far-reaching consequences.
—Jovi Dai, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2025
Rumors of an engagement to longtime boyfriend Tom Holland remain unconfirmed, but try telling that to the legions of Zendaya fans, whose rabid speculation kicked into overdrive on social media before the Golden Globes telecast had ended.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overdrive
Dictionary Entries Near overdrive
Cite this Entry
“Overdrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdrive. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
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overdrive
noun
over·drive
ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv
: a transmission gear in an automobile that allows the drive shaft to operate at a speed greater than that of the engine crankshaft
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