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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Goldman says Lander is exaggerating the gulf between them.—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
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Sub-six-footers aren’t the only ones who exaggerate their height, though.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The jury agreed and convicted Thomas of manslaughter instead of murder, with some jurors emphasizing the role of his addiction.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Salaviza described the short form as a pure mode of expression in which authentic emotion is fundamental, while von Döhren – drawing on her parallel career as an illustrator – emphasized how effectively the format can convey feeling through storytelling.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Cheese wields a kind of power over the Italian imagination that cannot be overstated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The future of our financial system depends on moving beyond siloed solutions toward structural solutions that address systemic undervaluation and overstated risk.—
Nina Seega,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Lattes, energy drinks, sodas and pre-workout powders have made caffeine easier to consume than ever and easier to overdo.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
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When to Skip Crunches Crunches are generally safe for people with proper form who don’t overdo it.—
Christa Sgobba,
Health,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasize. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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