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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In the series, Gacy enjoyed talking about many of his accomplishments and exaggerating some of his stories.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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Blumenthal apologized for exaggerating his military record in 2010 after an investigation by the New York Times.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Set during the Yongle Era, Xixi said that Blade of Vengeance would break from the norm and the in-world drama would focus on realism and logic rather than fantastical feats, with the production emphasizing the real location shooting and hard-hitting action.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
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In every stop on Saturday, Ciattarelli makes a point of emphasizing how his Jersey roots go deeper than his opponent’s.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These days companies are touting, and often overstating, their AI bona fides.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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Harry How / Getty Images There is no overstating Shohei Ohtani’s importance to the Los Angeles Dodgers.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And Carys is certainly embracing shopping her mom's previous red carpet picks — even to the point of possibly overdoing it.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Unlike horror movies built on shadowy boogeymen bouncing out of the dark, The Witch's tone stays quiet, swarming around themes of bewitchery, black magic, and wickedness without overdoing it.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But let’s be honest—no one wins when the family feuds (word to JAY Z) or when everyone’s secretly stressing about money.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
28 Oct. 2025
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In the news conference before the vote, legislative Republicans said that men's correctional facilities are at 134% of capacity, while women's are at 169% of capacity, which is stressing the system.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasizing. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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