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
That’s why overemphasizing individual performance diminishes team performance.
—
Esmt Berlin, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Drag Race can overemphasize the evolution a queen has gone through between seasons, but Aja has actually had one.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 9 May 2025
Moser says that American leaders have overemphasized college to the detriment of vocational training and that the U.S. system of apprenticeships pales in comparison with the ones in countries like Germany and Switzerland.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 May 2025
Hyper-independence happens when a person overemphasizes autonomy, often as a defense mechanism from past hurt, trauma or fear of vulnerability.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Esmt Berlin, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Drag Race can overemphasize the evolution a queen has gone through between seasons, but Aja has actually had one.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 9 May 2025
Moser says that American leaders have overemphasized college to the detriment of vocational training and that the U.S. system of apprenticeships pales in comparison with the ones in countries like Germany and Switzerland.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 May 2025
Hyper-independence happens when a person overemphasizes autonomy, often as a defense mechanism from past hurt, trauma or fear of vulnerability.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasize
Verb
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And the singer is certainly not exaggerating: hopping onto the guests-only ferry out to Palomino Island feels like moving from paradise to heaven itself.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
26 July 2025
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Other Reddit users are offering their takes, with many agreeing that the woman might be exaggerating her symptoms.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Ethereum draws its strength from a strong developer community that emphasizes strengthening the network’s infrastructure.—
Lawrence Wintermeyer,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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That newest edition of the game emphasizes fun over following the rules to a T, and actual play is a great demonstration of how that looks at a game night, said Justice Arman, managing game designer of Dungeons & Dragons.—
Scott Greenstone,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
28 July 2025
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Since then, researchers and doctors have determined the cancer risk was overstated.—
Katia Riddle,
NPR,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Don’t overdo it; a very small amount of concealer is more than enough.—
Laura Solla,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
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Cooper, who is starring alongside Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie as Young Heathcliff in the upcoming feature adaptation of Wuthering Heights, has his mock exams coming up and is lucky to have friends that aren’t overdoing it.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasize. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025.
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