as in exaggerating
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 overemphasizing
Still, overemphasizing national trend lines fails to acknowledge how new converts can change a community.
—
Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Still, experts warn that there is such a thing as overemphasizing the data and getting bogged down by less-than-optimal scores.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2025
Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Still, experts warn that there is such a thing as overemphasizing the data and getting bogged down by less-than-optimal scores.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasizing
Verb
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Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whose term featured record numbers of disappearances and homicides, complained that political adversaries were exaggerating the problem to smear his reputation and legacy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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Analysts note that the Russia Defense ministry has a habit of exaggerating advances when the frontlines are scarcely changing.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bond is emphasizing supporting small businesses, making healthcare more affordable, criminal justice reform and protecting the environment.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Gemmill echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the priority is maintaining the realism of the show, which centers on a fictional hospital in Pittsburgh.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Yang is again cautious about overstating the outcome.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
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At the same time, overstating job requirements carries its own risks.—
Sam Stevenson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But nighttime pain that woke me every few hours was likely from overdoing, Bugbee’s nurse explained.—
Nicole Sours Larson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
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Don't Go Overboard with Pillows One easy way to keep from clogging up the bedroom is not overdoing it with throw pillows.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Democratic leaders are vowing to force votes to curb the president's war powers, stressing that a two-week ceasefire is not sufficient.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Zaman urged parents, religious scholars and community leaders to ensure maximum participation in the campaign, stressing that polio can only be prevented through vaccination.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasizing. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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