overemphasis
noun
over·em·pha·sis
ˌō-vər-ˈem(p)-fə-səs 
plural overemphases
ˌō-vər-ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsēz
: an excessive amount or degree of emphasis
F. Scott Fitzgeralds's novels and Eugene O'Neill's plays exposed America's overemphasis on money and success.—
Mary Beth Norton et al.
Mary Beth Norton et al.… an overemphasis on design at the expense of function.—Walt Mossberg
Walt MossbergExamples of overemphasis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The future of psychiatric rehabilitation Despite its effectiveness, many factors limit access to psychiatric rehabilitation, including underfunding, lack of appropriate Medicaid reimbursement, an unprepared workforce and an overemphasis on pharmaceutical treatment.
—Adrienne Lapidos, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
An overemphasis on playing a dump-and-chase game suppressed some of his offensive creativity, too.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
From jobs to trade tensions An overemphasis on tech could have broader economic consequences.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
Zhao’s larger point about our culture’s overemphasis on being original, or, more specifically, creating something new, is interesting to consider, especially in terms of how limiting that can be for artists.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overemphasis
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Adrienne Lapidos, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
An overemphasis on playing a dump-and-chase game suppressed some of his offensive creativity, too.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
From jobs to trade tensions An overemphasis on tech could have broader economic consequences.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
Zhao’s larger point about our culture’s overemphasis on being original, or, more specifically, creating something new, is interesting to consider, especially in terms of how limiting that can be for artists.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overemphasis
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overemphasis. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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