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
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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 of oversimplify from the Web
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But his clichéd life is rendered in clichés; his feral survivalism and his extended solitude are grossly oversimplified and underimagined.
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.
1897
First Known Use of oversimplify
1897
OVERSIMPLIFY Defined for English Language Learners
oversimplify
playDefinition of oversimplify for English Language Learners
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: to describe (something) in a way that does not include all the facts and details and that causes misunderstanding
OVERSIMPLIFY Defined for Kids
oversimplify
playDefinition of oversimplify for Students
oversimplified
;oversimplifying
: to cause (something) to seem simpler than it is He oversimplified a complicated problem.
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