overinterpret

verb

over·​in·​ter·​pret ˌō-vər-in-ˈtər-prət 

-pət

overinterpreted; overinterpreting

transitive verb

: to read too much into (something) : to attribute to (something) a meaning or importance that does not seem likely or reasonable

I don't want to overinterpret their works with my curatorial babble.

—Philippe Vergne

Maybe polls work after all, although it's clear we all overuse them and overinterpret them.

—David Mazzarella

overinterpretation

ˌō-vər-in-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

-pə-

noun

plural overinterpretations

… the fine balance between insightful analysis and compulsive overinterpretation.

—Carol J. Oja

Once again I will stick closely to the text to avoid overinterpretation.

—Denny Taylor

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overinterpret

• interpret
• misinterpret
• reinterpret