oversimplify

[ oh-ver-sim-pluh-fahy ]

/ ˌoʊ vərˈsɪm pləˌfaɪ /

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See synonyms for: oversimplify / oversimplified on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with or without object), o·ver·sim·pli·fied, o·ver·sim·pli·fy·ing.

to simplify to the point of error, distortion, or misrepresentation.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of oversimplify

First recorded in 1920–25; over- + simplify

OTHER WORDS FROM oversimplify

o·ver·sim·pli·fi·ca·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use oversimplify in a sentence

He questioned data showing racial disparities in policing, saying such calculations are oversimplified or lacking context.
In Maryland’s largest suburb, an ambitious police overhaul faces roadblocks|Rebecca Tan, Dan Morse|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
We have seen oversimplified versions of facial recognition in pop culture in which a computer program spits out a definitive match, but that’s not the case in reality.
Facial recognition still can’t prove someone’s identity|Stan Horaczek|January 8, 2021|Popular-Science
Many later studies showed this to be essentially correct, though oversimplified for nonhumans.
Brain Scientists Haven’t Been Able To Find Major Differences Between Women’s And Men’s Brains, Despite Over A Century Of Searching|LGBTQ-Editor|August 13, 2020|No Straight News
While nofollow links had been extremely effective thus far, they were an oversimplified solution to a complex problem.
What Google says about nofollow, sponsored, and UGC links in 2020: Does it affect your SEO rankings?|Joseph Dyson|July 24, 2020|Search Engine Watch

I think we oversimplify the problems to make them easy to understand, but they actually then end up not being very effective.
Fed Up (Ep. 390)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 26, 2019|Freakonomics
This was a gross oversimplification of a more complex reality.
Why Aren’t Sanctions Stopping Putin?|Meghan L. O’Sullivan|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is a mind-bending level of conflation and oversimplification.
What the Heck Is Romney Saying About the Economy?|Jesse Singal|August 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
His oversimplification of the conflict demands that he delegitimize the views of those who dissent from his simplistic narrative.
Christian Zionism: An Extended Reality Check|David Brog|July 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
These days, unfortunately, this oversimplification is all that seems to make it into the newspapers or on the airwaves.
Syria’s Propaganda Cloud: How the West Is Falling for Misinformation|Riad al Khouri|June 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It is an oversimplification, however, to say Bennington has no requirements.
Bogus College Stereotypes|Kathleen Kingsbury|July 19, 2009|DAILY BEAST
This assumption was an oversimplification; all adult males did not reach breeding condition at the same time of year.
Comparative Ecology of Pinyon Mice and Deer Mice in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado|Charles L. Douglas
"That's a common oversimplification," she said, giving me a fake smile.
Little Brother|Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for oversimplify

oversimplify

/ (ˌəʊvəˈsɪmplɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

to simplify (something) to the point of distortion or error

Derived forms of oversimplify

oversimplification, 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

oversimplify

Origin of oversimplify

OTHER WORDS FROM oversimplify

Words related to oversimplify

How to use oversimplify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for oversimplify

Derived forms of oversimplify