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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The deadpan one-liners exaggerating his strength, speed and toughness to absurd levels, turned Norris into one of the internet’s first global memes.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
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And nobody in that moment was performing or exaggerating.—
Daniela Tijerina,
Vanity Fair,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His longtime representative has again pushed back in response to the series, defending him as a beloved television figure and rejecting the allegations while emphasizing his reputation and legacy.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
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Others argue that wavelengths should not be considered in isolation, emphasizing the importance of a broad spectrum of light — the way nature delivers it.—
Lynne Peeples,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The episode’s biggest error is overstating human performance compared to technological outcomes.—
Robert Pearl,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
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But experts caution against overstating any comparison to prescription GLP-1 drugs.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fortunately, there’s little danger of overdoing it on vitamin D from food alone.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
13 Mar. 2026
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The actor says creating Dutton's persona reflects what Grimes liked watching while growing up, namely actors who told a story without overdoing it, with still excellence, like Paul Newman.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Maybe that’s because Florida has greater things to spend its time stressing about.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
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Lianys Torres Rivera declined to say how far along the talks may be while stressing the Cuban government has been a reliable partner.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasizing. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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