as in to exaggerate
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 overemphasize
Some judges believed the systems underestimated the importance of certain red flags — like extensive juvenile records or certain kinds of gun charges — or overemphasized factors like an old criminal record or low education level.
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Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 30 Oct. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for overemphasize 
Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 30 Oct. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for overemphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasize
Verb
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Many progressive groups grossly exaggerate problems as an argument for federalizing national elections or to use as a fundraising tool.Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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The book generated a backlash among Israel’s supporters, and he was accused of exaggerating the situation and misstating some facts.Peter Baker, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Despite the reduction in scope, Fraga acknowledged that the development would still increase traffic on the already congested Northwest 87th Avenue, but emphasized that the revised plan was the best possible outcome, reducing the number of units by more than 1,000 from the original proposal.Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025
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After buying the title off script, the Korean distributor put together a robust social media campaign that targeted young audiences while emphasizing the film’s mouth-watering content.Ben Croll, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Ranchers interviewed by the Statesman said the claims of worker advocates are overstated.Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 17 Jan. 2025
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However, the study, led by Eyal Frank of the University of Chicago, demonstrates that these criticisms are often overstated.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Don't overdo it: Stick to a facial cleansing routine, but remember that cleaning too often can disrupt the stratum corneum, causing more sebum production.Mark Gurarie, Health, 1 Jan. 2025
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Turmeric and green tea lands people in hospital Depositphotos University of Michigan, Ann Arbor researchers found that around 15 million Americans could be putting their liver health at risk by overdoing it with popular supplements.New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near overemphasize
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasize. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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