oversell

[ oh-ver-sel ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·sold, o·ver·sell·ing.

1. to sell more of (a stock, product, etc.) than can be delivered.
2. to sell aggressively, as by using high-pressure merchandising techniques.
3. to emphasize the good points of excessively and to a self-defeating extent:

   She so oversold the picnic that I became convinced I'd have a better time at the movies.

verb (used without object)

, o·ver·sold, o·ver·sell·ing.

1. to sell something aggressively.
2. to make extreme claims for something or someone.

oversell

/ ˌəʊvəˈsɛl /

verb

1. tr to sell more of (a commodity) than can be supplied
2. to use excessively aggressive methods in selling (commodities)
3. tr to exaggerate the merits of

Word History and Origins

Origin of oversell¹

First recorded in 1570–80; over- + sell ¹

Related Words

• exaggerate
• magnify
• overestimate
• overvalue