overemphasize

especially British, o·ver·em·pha·sise

[oh-ver-em-fuh-sahyz]

verb (used with object)

overemphasized, overemphasizing 

1. to emphasize excessively.

verb (used without object)

overemphasized, overemphasizing 

1. to use excessive emphasis.

overemphasize

/ ˌəʊvərˈɛmfəˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to give excessive emphasis or prominence to (something)

Other Word Forms

• overemphasis noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overemphasize¹

First recorded in 1900–05; over- + emphasize

Example Sentences

It is an intimate space, which meant that Armitage had to do without decor, and which may have led her to overemphasize theatrics.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She overemphasized abortion rights, a winning issue for Democrats in the 2022 midterm elections that had played out by last week.

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She pointed to the presidential campaign of Harris, who could be the first woman and first person of Asian descent to serve as president, but who Lien said has strategically not overemphasized that fact.

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“I overemphasized being the best teammate I could be,” Jefferies said.

Read more on Seattle Times

The researchers are taking care not to overemphasize the results of their findings, saying the changes, while significant, remain slight.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• amplify 
• distort 
• emphasize 
• fabricate 
• falsify 
• heighten 
• inflate 
• magnify 
• misrepresent 
• overdo 
• overdraw 
• overestimate