1. to design or build something in an unnecessarily complex or elaborate way
Usage: often used in technical contexts

Examples

• The software team tends to overengineer simple features.
• Don’t overengineer the solution—keep it basic and functional.
• The bridge was overengineered for the amount of traffic it would handle.
• Many startups fail because they overengineer their first product.
• The architect was accused of overengineering the building’s ventilation system.
• Sometimes it’s better to launch quickly than to overengineer every detail.