overgeneralize

American  

[oh-ver-jen-er-uh-lahyz] / ˌoʊ vərˈdʒɛn ər əˌlaɪz /

especially British, overgeneralise

verb (used with or without object)

overgeneralized, overgeneralizing

1. to generalize beyond appropriate or justified limits.

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Usage

What does overgeneralize mean? To overgeneralize is to draw conclusions that are too broad because they exceed what could be logically concluded from the available information.Overgeneralize comes from generalize, meaning to draw broad conclusions. Overgeneralizing is generalizing too much or in a way that leads to faulty conclusions.The noun form of overgeneralize is overgeneralization, which refers to the act of overgeneralizing or an instance of doing so.The word overgeneralize is frequently used in everyday speech, but it can also be used in logic, linguistics, psychology, or other fields of research to mean something a little bit more specific relating to the particular field.Example: The authors are overgeneralizing when they claim that all hospitals lack evacuation plans, since in fact only a small number of hospitals were studied.

Etymology

Origin of overgeneralize

over- + generalize

Example Sentences

However, his project aims to humanize an issue that can get overgeneralized in political rhetoric.

From Salon

And — again to overgeneralize from my experience — users may not want a second Twitter either.

From New York Times

“There will always be individual differences among youth and we need to be careful not to overgeneralize or stereotype them,” said Mr. Plante, a Santa Clara University professor.

From Washington Times

But “clinicians have overgeneralized,” says Anderson, now at the University of Cambridge.

From Scientific American

Now, in Reykjavik, despite being the recipient of numerous acts of kindness and generosity, Bobby began finding fault, negatively overgeneralizing, and snapping at those who’d shown him the most loyalty.

From Literature