overemphasize

[oh-ver-em-fuh-sahyz]

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verb (used with object), o·ver·em·pha·sized, o·ver·em·pha·siz·ing.

to emphasize excessively.

verb (used without object), o·ver·em·pha·sized, o·ver·em·pha·siz·ing.

to use excessive emphasis.

Also especially British, o·ver·em·pha·sise.

Origin of overemphasize

First recorded in 1900–05; over- + emphasize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for overemphasize

enhance, inflate, aggravate, overstate, overestimate, overdo, exaggerate, overuse, overemphasize, maximize, magnify, emphasize, misrepresent, heighten, amplify, embellish, fabricate, distort, falsify, overdraw

Examples from the Web for overemphasize

Contemporary Examples of overemphasize

I cannot overemphasize how unimpressed I was by her over the course of two hours.
Justice Roberts Shines
David Frum
March 28, 2012

Historical Examples of overemphasize

I do not think it possible to overemphasize Gourmont's sense of beauty.
Instigations
Ezra Pound
The difficulty lies chiefly in the temptation to overemphasize.
News Writing
M. Lyle Spencer
We cannot overemphasize the importance of squeezing your trigger.
The Plattsburg Manual
O.O. Ellis and E.B. Garey
These examples are rather bald, and overemphasize the method in order to make it clear.
Etiquette
Emily Post
It is practically impossible to overemphasize the importance of the boy's vocational choice.
The Minister and the Boy
Allan Hoben

British Dictionary definitions for overemphasize

overemphasize

overemphasise

verb (tr)

to give excessive emphasis or prominence to (something)

Derived Formsoveremphasis, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012