as in exaggerated
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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as in overstated
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Recent Examples of overemphasized
Kate Ruder, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
The end of the post–Cold War era has exposed the shortcomings of this approach, which overemphasized collective self-defense commitments and neglected the deeper economic, technological, and strategic ties that are increasingly salient in modern geopolitics.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
But ChatGPT sometimes overemphasized or underemphasized findings, and a small but significant number of responses indicated patients were more confused after reading the summaries, said Honce, who participated in the preprint study.
—Kate Ruder, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
The end of the post–Cold War era has exposed the shortcomings of this approach, which overemphasized collective self-defense commitments and neglected the deeper economic, technological, and strategic ties that are increasingly salient in modern geopolitics.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasized
Verb
-
In early 2025, the stock fell nearly 57% from February to April in the wake of a short-seller report that alleged the company had exaggerated its e-commerce performance and breached service terms.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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This performative solidarity was not appreciated by Saudi commentators who argued Egypt exaggerated the seriousness of Netanyahu's comments in a bid to drag Saudi Arabia in a confrontation with the Israelis for political reasons.—
Khaled Hassan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Getty Images The committee's move followed a June Federal Railroad Administration compliance review that concluded the California High-Speed Rail Authority lacked a viable path to complete the project on time or on budget and flagged overstated ridership projections and other management failures.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As Vevo’s Senior Manager of Talent Booking, Cynthia Todd emphasized the close partnership and trust that goes into making opportunities like these special performances come together in Live From Vevo Studios.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Martina Finken, Felde’s head of sales, emphasized how the traceable fibers are suitable for ring and open-end spinning, long staple spinning and non-wovens.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In 2000, Thomson was bought by the German company Preussag, with the enlarged business — which was listed in London and Frankfurt — rechristened TUI two years later.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
-
But roughly 20-30% of people who are infected develop severe symptoms, including a range of heart issues—such as heart failure, irregular heartbeat, or even death—and digestive issues—such as an enlarged esophagus or colon, which could cause problems with eating or going to the bathroom.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ladapo’s predecessors stressed the importance of hepatitis A vaccines and flu shots.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
-
As Democrats push to extend Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the end of the year, Cole stressed that issue and debate is outside of his committee's jurisdiction -- though Johnson could hypothetically direct him to attach it to the CR.—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Lovevook Tote features a padded laptop compartment and multiple interior pockets, accommodating everything from a wallet to lip gloss.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
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Chair massage, familiar to us from nail salons, Central Park, and airports, also takes place clothed, on a special padded chair—conditions that seemed poised to stymie efforts at showmanship.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Despite this pullback, the stock still trades at a stretched nine times trailing revenue—well above its historical average of three times.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasized. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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