overcount

verb

over·​count ˌō-vər-ˈkau̇nt How to pronounce overcount (audio)
overcounted; overcounting

transitive verb

: to count more of (people or things) than is accurate
overcounted the votes
overcounted the number of students enrolled
overcount noun
plural overcounts
an overcount in the census

Examples of overcount in a Sentence

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.
Some scholars suggested that the Labor Department’s survey may overcount fully in-person work, though the comparisons among the various surveys aren’t direct. Emma Goldberg, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2023 The snapshot figure has the potential to overcount and undercount true Covid-19 deaths. Denise Roland, WSJ, 10 Feb. 2022 Even in the best of times, the census tends to overcount some populations and undercount others, with the highest undercounts among minorities, renters, low-income people, and children. BostonGlobe.com, 14 Oct. 2021 Even in the best of times, the census tends to overcount some populations and undercount others, with the highest undercounts among minorities, renters, low-income people and children. Tara Bahrampour, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Oct. 2021 Jones told The Washington Post that she was asked to underreport the infection total and overcount the number of people getting tested so the data would support DeSantis’ desire to reopen the state. Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, 8 Dec. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overcount was circa 1594

Dictionary Entries Near overcount

Cite this Entry

“Overcount.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcount. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

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