Synonyms

overemphasize

American

[oh-ver-em-fuh-sahyz] / ˌoʊ vərˈɛm fəˌsaɪz /

especially British, overemphasise

verb (used with object)

overemphasized, overemphasizing

to emphasize excessively.

verb (used without object)

overemphasized, overemphasizing

to use excessive emphasis.

overemphasize British

/ ˌəʊvərˈɛmfəˌsaɪz /

verb

to give excessive emphasis or prominence to (something)

"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

Other Word Forms

overemphasis noun

Etymology

Origin of overemphasize

First recorded in 1900–05; over- + emphasize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“There has been a propensity to overemphasize short term, technical headlines and overlook the broader direction of travel within our industry,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

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

From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2024

“I think the authors overemphasize the evolutionary significance of their work,” says Robert Blankenship, an emeritus biochemist at Washington University in St. Louis.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 18, 2023

I cannot overemphasize how dumb it is that Scott finally filleted his reputation in full over this, a trolly Rasmussen poll.

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2023

However, origin stories may leave out key aspects of what actually happened and overemphasize others.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023