as in to exaggerate
to describe or express in too strong terms
it appears you've somewhat overstated your computer skills, if you can't find the "on" button!
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Recent Examples of overstate
Between 2016 and 2020, there was a lot of polling data being put out into the world that created a funhouse mirror image of what the American people actually thought, and dramatically overstated public support for a bunch of progressive policies.
—
David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025
That’s not to overstate the depth or emotive nature of a fun little ride that uses broad-brush psychology as an excuse for an elegant puzzle-box that, once solved, does not require further thought.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Protection from severe storms—which seem to be worsening because of climate change—cannot be overstated.
—Outside, 16 Sep. 2025
The scale of this shift is difficult to overstate.
—Thanh Pham, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overstate
David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025
That’s not to overstate the depth or emotive nature of a fun little ride that uses broad-brush psychology as an excuse for an elegant puzzle-box that, once solved, does not require further thought.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Protection from severe storms—which seem to be worsening because of climate change—cannot be overstated.
—Outside, 16 Sep. 2025
The scale of this shift is difficult to overstate.
—Thanh Pham, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overstate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overstate
exaggerate
Verb
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Our foul, flatulent father-figure may exaggerate a bit when belittling his enemies (and friends, for that matter), but cloaked under his aura of filth — like an adult Pig-Pen’s toxic dust cloud — rests a core truth.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 2025
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Over half, or 51 percent, admitted to exaggerating their financial success, with Gen Z (54 percent) leading the way compared to millennials (48 percent).—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overstate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overstate. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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