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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overemphasize
That Huo doesn’t overemphasize the signifiers of change is an admirable kind of restraint.
—
Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025
The national importance of this prosecution cannot be overemphasized.
—Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
First, a person starts to overemphasize their wins, leading them to gamble more.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
Ignoring character, or believing it’s already addressed, leads to the danger of overemphasizing integrity and accountability while neglecting humanity and humility, for example.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025
The national importance of this prosecution cannot be overemphasized.
—Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
First, a person starts to overemphasize their wins, leading them to gamble more.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
Ignoring character, or believing it’s already addressed, leads to the danger of overemphasizing integrity and accountability while neglecting humanity and humility, for example.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasize
Verb
-
Coffey seemed to exaggerate it, throwing her hands up while going down.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 May 2025
-
The movie exaggerates the struggles Scaravella faced.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
As the president of World-Voices Organization, Washington also emphasizes the significance of community, especially at a time when many voice actors and creatives feel isolated or vulnerable.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
-
Policies to incentivize capital investment in the U.S. shipbuilding industry, and grow the workforce, should be emphasized in the near term.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
Bill Simon, who ran Walmart U.S. from 2010 to 2014, suggests the company may be overstating challenges tied to tariffs.—
Stephanie Landsman,
CNBC,
15 May 2025
-
Kroger took issue with the findings, saying the investigation greatly overstates the pricing issues.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
Yet abroad, Germans are still caricatured as Nazis, and the remembrance culture plays a part by overdoing it.—
Mark Sappenfield,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 May 2025
-
Reflect what the job is looking for, but don't overdo it—listing nine to 12 skills is sufficient. 3.—
Franklin Buchanan,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasize. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share