oversimplify

American  

[oh-ver-sim-pluh-fahy] / ˌoʊ vərˈsɪm pləˌfaɪ /

verb (used with or without object)

oversimplifies, present (3rd person singular) oversimplified, past participle, past oversimplifying present participle

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

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oversimplify British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈsɪmplɪˌfaɪ /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• oversimplification
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• oversimplifying
  present
• oversimplified
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• oversimplify
  simple
• oversimplifies
  simple
• have oversimplified
  perfect
• has oversimplified
  perfect
• am oversimplifying
  progressive
• are oversimplifying
  progressive
• is oversimplifying
  progressive
• have been oversimplifying
  perfect progressive
• has been oversimplifying
  perfect progressive

Past

• oversimplified
  simple
• had oversimplified
  perfect
• was oversimplifying
  progressive
• were oversimplifying
  progressive
• had been oversimplifying
  perfect progressive

Future

• will oversimplify
  simple
• will have oversimplified
  perfect
• will be oversimplifying
  progressive
• will have been oversimplifying
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of oversimplify

First recorded in 1920–25; over- + simplify

Example Sentences

Push to Oversimplify at Climate Panel 484 comments 2.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2010

Push to Oversimplify at Climate Panel 481 comments 2.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2010

Push to Oversimplify at Climate Panel 468 comments 3.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2010