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
Questions at debates and forums have tended to overemphasize who’s giving what to whom over other important matters in this election.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
If women ski as long as the men do and don’t do it as quickly, that ratio gets out of whack and overemphasizes skiing for the women and not for the men.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Finally, advocates can respond to the argument that merit overemphasizes achievements and undervalues people.
—Kenji Yoshino, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Parents who overemphasize obedience, which can require the suppression of big feelings, run the risk of raising people-pleasers who can’t advocate for themselves and are more likely to grow into anxious, unhappy adults, Raouda says.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
If women ski as long as the men do and don’t do it as quickly, that ratio gets out of whack and overemphasizes skiing for the women and not for the men.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Finally, advocates can respond to the argument that merit overemphasizes achievements and undervalues people.
—Kenji Yoshino, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Parents who overemphasize obedience, which can require the suppression of big feelings, run the risk of raising people-pleasers who can’t advocate for themselves and are more likely to grow into anxious, unhappy adults, Raouda says.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasize
Verb
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Someone could leave out important details, exaggerate or accidentally confuse you without meaning to.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
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The league decided to introduce postgame flop fines in the 2012-13 season where plays were reviewed after games and those individuals were fined for exaggerating contact.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Since becoming commissioner himself, Richards has been keen to emphasize his desire to partner with Rikers staff and unions.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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This accolade further emphasizes the booming super premium Irish whiskey sector, as The Donn surpassed renowned Scottish and Japanese competitors.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
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But claims that Los Angeles — alongside New York — was the safest big city are generally considered overstated rather than conclusively proven.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Trump account promoters have massively overstated the potential wealth gains for ordinary Americans.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Of course, finding a way to pay homage to a movie that came to define a generation — without overdoing it — would be no small feat.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
8 May 2026
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Teyana Taylor, ever the purposeful center of attention, donned a silver foil fringe look by Haider Ackermann for Tom Ford, but overdid it with a matching wig, converting her into a tinsel tree.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasize. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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