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
First, a person starts to overemphasize their wins, leading them to gamble more.
—
Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
Likewise, critics often overemphasize the role of Aung San Suu Kyi’s personal traits while minimizing the structural and situational factors that have influenced her decisions.
—Tej Parikh, Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2017
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
It really can’t be overemphasized how good Erivo and Grande sound together, so forgive me for bringing it up again.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
Likewise, critics often overemphasize the role of Aung San Suu Kyi’s personal traits while minimizing the structural and situational factors that have influenced her decisions.
—Tej Parikh, Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2017
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
It really can’t be overemphasized how good Erivo and Grande sound together, so forgive me for bringing it up again.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasize
Verb
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The implication is that the non-college population makes nothing, an assumption that dramatically exaggerates the college payoff.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Rhodes further retorted with a crude remark about Cena's microphone skills versus his physical attributes, and cautioned him against exaggerating his positive impact on WWE upon his departure.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The report also emphasizes the need to integrate women and youth into food policy.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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The problem, however, is that Starmer has repeatedly emphasized that his brainchild will only work if the mighty U.S. is backing up the European reassurance force.—
Daniel DePetris,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But he’s also repeatedly overstated vaccines’ risks and declined to directly urge parents to vaccinate their children.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
21 Mar. 2025
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Its impact, particularly in some areas, is hard to overstate.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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So why is overdoing alcohol consumption particularly harmful to bones?—
Holly Carter,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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It’s never recommended to take mega doses of any supplement or overdo it with specific spices that aren’t necessarily associated with physical effects—and that goes for turmeric and ginger.—
Jamie Johnson,
Verywell Health,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasize. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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