Definition of "overstress"

overstress

verb
third-person singular simple present overstresses, present participle overstressing, simple past and past participle overstressed
1. To place excessive emphasis on something.
2. To place excessive physical stress on something, especially to such an extent that it deforms or breaks.
  Quotations
  [...] 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