as in to exaggerate
to treat (something) with more importance than is needed or proper
The teacher tends to overemphasize the value of tests. The importance of a healthy diet cannot be overemphasized.
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Recent Examples of overemphasize
The potential impacts of abusing nitrous oxide cannot be overemphasized.
—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Inherent in their definition is a sense of shared fate—a counter to a version of food consumption that overemphasizes individual choice.
—
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Paternalistic tactics, such as overemphasizing IUDs and implants, undermined young people’s reproductive health preferences and goals.
—
Riley J. Steiner,
STAT,
20 Apr. 2026
Opponents of these changes say the standards lack perspectives from people of color globally and overemphasize the role Christianity played in the founding of the country.
—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Inherent in their definition is a sense of shared fate—a counter to a version of food consumption that overemphasizes individual choice.
—
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Paternalistic tactics, such as overemphasizing IUDs and implants, undermined young people’s reproductive health preferences and goals.
—
Riley J. Steiner,
STAT,
20 Apr. 2026
Opponents of these changes say the standards lack perspectives from people of color globally and overemphasize the role Christianity played in the founding of the country.
—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasize
Verb
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The four-time Olympian was not exaggerating.
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Many of the studies exaggerate the amount in human organs, the European officials concluded.
Verb
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While the community effort is significant, volunteers emphasized that more specialized support is required to address the scale of the crisis.
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Reynolds instead emphasizes that Puritans (and Quakers) framed the earliest antislavery arguments in the English-speaking world.
Verb
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Consumer demand for sustainability and traceability has been grossly overstated.
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Granted, most of his reps came against players who are on the fringe of the roster, yet the performance can’t be overstated.
Verb
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Taylor and Travis both love to put on a show, both love to overdo it.
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Have fun walking up and running down the dunes with your pup, but be mindful of the heat and elevation to avoid overdoing it.
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasize. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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