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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overemphasize
The national importance of this prosecution cannot be overemphasized.
—
Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
First, a person starts to overemphasize their wins, leading them to gamble more.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
Ignoring character, or believing it’s already addressed, leads to the danger of overemphasizing integrity and accountability while neglecting humanity and humility, for example.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
First, a person starts to overemphasize their wins, leading them to gamble more.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
Ignoring character, or believing it’s already addressed, leads to the danger of overemphasizing integrity and accountability while neglecting humanity and humility, for example.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasize
Verb
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False Claims and Global Aims: A Times investigation shows Therme, a European firm which runs a spa and water park in Romania, exaggerated its track record in securing a deal with Ontario, and government auditors found that the process had been unfair and opaque.—
Salman Masood,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
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According to the singer, his feud with Baskin was exaggerated for ratings.—
Nicole Briese,
People.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Fremont’s 2024 Homelessness Response Plan emphasized prevention, housing and outreach.—
David Bonaccorsi,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
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Scrolling Instagram and TikTok was damaging enough to my self-worth prior to pregnancy, but there’s nothing quite like seeing a fitness or lifestyle influencer emphasizing the flatness of their abs mere weeks after delivery to demolish your confidence.—
Michelle Konstantinovsky,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Barcelona were adjudged to have overstated their UEFA PSR position by €267million in 2022, for which they were fined €500,000 by the European governing body.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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Yet the failure of plurilateral controls can be overstated.—
Nikita Lalwani,
Foreign Affairs,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Department of Player Safety — a big suspension, overdid it.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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Do not overdo it: A small amount of concealer is enough to correct redness.—
Lucrezia Malavolta,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasize. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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