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
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.
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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
See all Example Sentences for overemphasize 
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
See all Example Sentences for overemphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasize
Verb
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This book only exaggerates that a little and gets the point across with its oceanography-meets-psychology text and gorgeous design. 8.Brian Boone, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
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Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has greatly exaggerated the death of legacy media in his posts on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.Peter Suciu, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Apart Smart Air Technology's app emphasizes gathering more data, using less material, and reducing labor costs, aiming to offer greater benefits than existing systems.Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
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Germany's social health insurance model emphasizes patient choice and short waiting times.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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How to claim a 2nd payment from the Equifax data breach settlement The study’s authors have issued a correction, saying a typo led them to overstate the threat level posed by the flame retardant.Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
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Just last month, Zoom was criticized for overstating its security.Zak Doffman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Pet safety: How to keep your pets safe in cold weather The best tips to heal dry and chapped lips Use lip balm or ointment throughout the day, but be careful to avoid overdoing it.Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
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Adapting Zombies novelist Seth Grahame-Smith’s book, which reimagined our 16th president as a kick-ass vampire slayer, director Timur Bekmambetov overdoes the gloomy grandeur and violent kill sequences.Will Leitch, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near overemphasize
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasize. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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