as in to exaggerate
to treat (something) with more importance than is needed or proper
The teacher tends to overemphasize the value of tests. The importance of a healthy diet cannot be overemphasized.
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Recent Examples of overemphasize
Some judges believed the systems underestimated the importance of certain red flags — like extensive juvenile records or certain kinds of gun charges — or overemphasized factors like an old criminal record or low education level.
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Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 30 Oct. 2024
These allies, along with the United States, need to take care to avoid overemphasizing any individual threat, such as terrorism, at the expense of longer-term challenges, such as Russian intimidation, Chinese expansionism, or North Korean nuclear proliferation.
—John Kasich, Foreign Affairs, 6 June 2018
Today, management books and the media overemphasize the individual leader, but ignoring team dynamics creates dysfunction and slows progress.
—Sarah Elk, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Lately, there’s increasing chatter among aesthetic doctors on social about the true impact of volume loss on the aging face, with some surgeons arguing that deflation has been overemphasized—and, thus, fillers overused—when, in fact, tissue laxity and descent tend to be greater contributors.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overemphasize 
Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 30 Oct. 2024
These allies, along with the United States, need to take care to avoid overemphasizing any individual threat, such as terrorism, at the expense of longer-term challenges, such as Russian intimidation, Chinese expansionism, or North Korean nuclear proliferation.
—John Kasich, Foreign Affairs, 6 June 2018
Today, management books and the media overemphasize the individual leader, but ignoring team dynamics creates dysfunction and slows progress.
—Sarah Elk, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Lately, there’s increasing chatter among aesthetic doctors on social about the true impact of volume loss on the aging face, with some surgeons arguing that deflation has been overemphasized—and, thus, fillers overused—when, in fact, tissue laxity and descent tend to be greater contributors.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overemphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasize
Verb
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Quite an accomplishment All presidents like to boast about their actions, and nearly all exaggerate their positive impact on the world from time to time.Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Dec. 2024
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The payment is the judgment leveled against Trump for intentionally approving financial documents that exaggerated the value of his assets to land better business opportunities.Stephen Pastis, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Throughout his career, Dolan emphasized that his companies always focused on providing unique content and innovative means of distributing them to consumers.Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 29 Dec. 2024
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The sun in Libra also emphasizes the desire for commitment, romance and a sense of partnership.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
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How to claim a 2nd payment from the Equifax data breach settlement The study’s authors have issued a correction, saying a typo led them to overstate the threat level posed by the flame retardant.Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
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Just last month, Zoom was criticized for overstating its security.Zak Doffman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Limit the alcohol intake Often people overdo during the holidays.Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 19 Dec. 2024
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Because this design is so detailed, don't overdo it with other patterns.Sandra S. Soria, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near overemphasize
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasize. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
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