overstate

verb

over·​state ˌō-vər-ˈstāt How to pronounce overstate (audio)
overstated; overstating; overstates

transitive verb

: to state in too strong terms : exaggerate
overstated his qualifications
overstatement noun

Examples of overstate in a Sentence

It would be overstating the case to say that it was a matter of life or death. it appears you've somewhat overstated your computer skills, if you can't find the “on” button!
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.
In some cases, the amount of money the group has claimed to cut has been overstated. Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025 According to the company, the impact of federal layoffs on the city's market could easily be overstated: government employees represent only about 9 percent of the D.C. regional workforce. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025 Yet Sweet and economist Samuel Tombs of Pantheon Macroeconomics noted the government has faced challenges seasonally adjusting the price data early in the year, overstating price increases. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025 Trump also vastly overstated the number of Americans killed during construction of the canal, saying 38,000 lives were lost. Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overstate

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overstate was in 1792

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Cite this Entry

“Overstate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overstate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

overstate

verb
over·​state -ˈstāt How to pronounce overstate (audio)
: to state in too strong terms : exaggerate
overstatement noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overstate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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