oversubscribe

1 of 2

verb

over·​sub·​scribe ˌō-vər-səb-ˈskrīb How to pronounce oversubscribe (audio)
oversubscribed; oversubscribing; oversubscribes

transitive verb

: to subscribe for more of than is available
oversubscription
ˌō-vər-səb-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce oversubscribe (audio)
noun

oversubscription

2 of 2

noun

: the act or an instance of oversubscribing
oversubscriptions became the rule—M. S. Kendrick

Examples of oversubscribe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Imageworks’ mentorship program, which began as a diversity initiative with about 30 participants, is now oversubscribed every year, Grady said. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 But those programs are often oversubscribed, says Joel Viers, a housing rehabilitation specialist for Pima County. — Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026 Ten Pillar Sports Fund, backed by UC Investments, led the Series C raise, which is oversubscribed, surpassing the league’s initial $100 million target. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The retail offering was oversubscribed 5,500 times, underscoring intense investor demand for the profitable company, which shipped 5,500 humanoids in 2025. — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oversubscribe

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from oversubscribe, after English subscribe : subscription

First Known Use

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oversubscribe was in 1891

Rhymes for oversubscribe

See All Rhymes for oversubscribe

Browse Nearby Words

overstuff
oversubscribe
oversubscription
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oversubscribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oversubscribe. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

oversubscribe

verb
over·​sub·​scribe -səb-ˈskrīb How to pronounce oversubscribe (audio)
: to subscribe for more of than is available
oversubscribe a stock issue
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All