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
At the next, in front of the Adda and Paul Safran Senior Housing in Venice, the dance party kicks into overdrive.
—
Stephen Krcmar, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024
Faced with a declining population, a group of Midwest natives kicked revitalization efforts into overdrive.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024
Rumors went into overdrive last October when Deadpool and Wolverine themselves, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, were seen attending one of the Kansas City Chiefs NFL games.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 10 June 2024
Still, the names that were released sent concert fans into overdrive.
—Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for overdrive 
Stephen Krcmar, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024
Faced with a declining population, a group of Midwest natives kicked revitalization efforts into overdrive.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024
Rumors went into overdrive last October when Deadpool and Wolverine themselves, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, were seen attending one of the Kansas City Chiefs NFL games.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 10 June 2024
Still, the names that were released sent concert fans into overdrive.
—Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for overdrive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overdrive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near overdrive
Cite this Entry
“Overdrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdrive. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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