oversimplify

verb

Save Word

over·sim·pli·fy | \ ˌō-vər-ˈsim-plə-ˌfī

oversimplified; oversimplifying; oversimplifies

Definition of oversimplify

transitive verb

: to simplify to such an extent as to bring about distortion, misunderstanding, or error

intransitive verb

: to engage in undue or extreme simplification

Other Words from oversimplify Example Sentences Learn More about oversimplify

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of oversimplify in a Sentence

The article oversimplifies the problem. She tends to oversimplify things. We must resist the temptation to oversimplify.

Recent Examples on the Web That said, projecting where the Wild will end up is very easy right now, albeit oversimplified, as Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs was the halfway point of this season. — Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, "Wild close out first half with ‘disheartening’ loss to Maple Leafs," 31 Dec. 2019 To oversimplify, Democrats read the New York Times; Republicans watch Fox News. — The Economist, "You really can fool some of the people, all of the time," 2 Nov. 2019 Burioni's broadsides polarize and oversimplify a complicated discussion, adds Fabio Turone, a science writer and director of the Center for Ethics in Science and Journalism. — Douglas Starr, Science | AAAS, "This Italian scientist has become a celebrity by fighting vaccine skeptics," 2 Jan. 2020 All economists know that their models oversimplify—that is what models are for. — The Economist, "When the meaning is in the method," 21 Nov. 2019 The problem with frittering around within this period of history is the risk of appearing to oversimplify it at best, and at worst, trivialize it. — Brian Lowry, CNN, "'Jojo Rabbit' uses Hitler to awkwardly convey anti-hate message," 18 Oct. 2019 But Teivainen cautioned that such narratives are oversimplifying. — Washington Post, "Change in Finland: A government led by five women and the world’s youngest prime minister," 9 Dec. 2019 Direct comparisons are in some ways difficult to make, being either so oversimplified as to be false or so complex as to be unusable. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "Lessons from Europe, or ‘Europe’," 8 Dec. 2019 And Phillip Lee, Justice spokesperson for Liberal Democrats, accused Johnson of oversimplifying the issue. — John Bacon, USA TODAY, "British leaders mourn victims, clash over terrorism ahead of Trump visit," 3 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oversimplify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more