1. to breed animals excessively or too frequently, often resulting in genetic problems or overpopulation
Usage: transitive or intransitive; commonly used in animal husbandry and conservation contexts
2. to breed animals without proper selection or care for genetic quality
Usage: transitive; often implies negligence or poor breeding practices

Examples

• The shelter warned that overbreeding dogs without health screening can lead to serious genetic disorders.
• Farmers who overbreed livestock often face declining animal health and productivity.
• Conservation efforts aim to prevent zoos from overbreeding endangered species in captivity.
• Overbreeding rabbits in a small space resulted in overcrowding and disease.
• The breeder was criticized for overbreeding the line without considering genetic diversity.
• If you overbreed your fish tank, water quality will deteriorate rapidly.