misemphasize

verb

mis·​em·​pha·​size ˌmis-ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz 

misemphasized; misemphasizing

transitive verb

: to give a misplaced or wrong emphasis to (something)

Inspiration needn't be very apposite; but the appositeness of this "first little throb" has perhaps been misemphasized.

—Martin Amis

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above