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

Example Sentences

Others were potential bargains in categories like energy and real estate that had been oversold.

From Time

Inventing Anna might oversell Delvey’s Robin Hood qualities.

From Time

The parents had paid for the seat, but the flight was oversold and the flight attendant was looking for any way to fit more passengers on the plane.

From Time

However, a review of the source video shows that the ad oversells the amount of praise Youngkin heaps on McAuliffe.

From Washington Post

The other is I do think work, you know, one can oversell it, but work should be venerated to some degree.

From Freakonomics

Related Words

• exaggerate
• magnify
• overestimate
• overvalue