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, 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
Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasizing
Verb
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Giménez was exaggerating, but not by much.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
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Over half, or 51 percent, admitted to exaggerating their financial success, with Gen Z (54 percent) leading the way compared to millennials (48 percent).—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Prosecutorial strategy From the prosecution’s perspective, emphasizing the size of the evidence file serves multiple purposes.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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However, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence downplayed the shift in the latest assessment, emphasizing at the time that the overall conclusions had not changed.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Maybe that is overstating it a little.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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In other words, the administration is overstating the evidence, the FDA is contradicting itself, and the scientists who actually did the research are saying something altogether different.—
Dr. Craig Spencer,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Its two pressure settings are powerful enough to clear away plaque without overdoing it, all in a compact design that tucks neatly under the sink or into your carry-on.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
2 Oct. 2025
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But the actor slips into the role flawlessly (with the help of good makeup), never overdoing it and adding a fair amount of gravitas to the constantly shifting scenery.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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There’s no need to invest in something bigger than your budget allows, so being as upfront as possible will save you from stressing later.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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The Dodgers returned to stressing out their opponents rather than themselves, trying to make something happen.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasizing. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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