overemphasize

verb

over·​em·​pha·​size ˌō-vər-ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz 

overemphasized; overemphasizing

transitive verb

: to give excessive emphasis to (something)

overemphasize risks

We have overemphasized the differences between men and women.

—Zosia Bielski

… people feeling pushed into starting businesses … in a culture that overemphasizes entrepreneurialism.

—Derrick Penner

I can't overemphasize the importance of this turning point in my life.

—Genesse Gentry

We … cannot overemphasize how important it is to keep up with latest security fixes …

—Rene Gielen

The value of a good reputation cannot be overemphasized.

—J. Dwight Pentecost

It's hard to overemphasize how significant this development will be …

—Rich Smith

Examples of overemphasize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These allies, along with the United States, need to take care to avoid overemphasizing any individual threat, such as terrorism, at the expense of longer-term challenges, such as Russian intimidation, Chinese expansionism, or North Korean nuclear proliferation. —John Kasich, Foreign Affairs, 6 June 2018

Today, management books and the media overemphasize the individual leader, but ignoring team dynamics creates dysfunction and slows progress. —Sarah Elk, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

Lately, there’s increasing chatter among aesthetic doctors on social about the true impact of volume loss on the aging face, with some surgeons arguing that deflation has been overemphasized—and, thus, fillers overused—when, in fact, tissue laxity and descent tend to be greater contributors. —Jolene Edgar, Allure, 24 Sep. 2024

And colleges may actually be discouraging deeper engagement among alums by overemphasizing fundraising. —Jamie Merisotis, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing overemphasize

• cannot overemphasize
• can't overemphasize
• hard to overemphasize