overstate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
overstatesimple
-
overstatessimple
-
have overstatedperfect
-
has overstatedperfect
-
am overstatingprogressive
-
are overstatingprogressive
-
is overstatingprogressive
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have been overstatingperfect progressive
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has been overstatingperfect progressive
Past
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overstatedsimple
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had overstatedperfect
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was overstatingprogressive
-
were overstatingprogressive
-
had been overstatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of overstate
Explanation
To overstate is to exaggerate or place too much importance on something. Your parents may overstate the dangers of driving on icy roads to scare you into being extra careful. If you want your brother to help you move some furniture, you might overstate how much your back hurts. And, if you're ready for lunch but your friend is dawdling, you'll be tempted to overstate how cranky you get when you're hungry. More seriously, politicians have been known to overstate the threat of terrorism or other dangers in order to gain support for a bill or a candidate.
Vocabulary lists containing overstate
"Ad Power," "Without Commercials," and "What's Wrong with Advertising"
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“Mandatory Vaccination is Not the Answer to Measles” by Bob Sears
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Bunnicula
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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.
“It is hard to overstate how significant last night’s earnings were,” O’Regan wrote in his note to clients.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 25, 2026
However some experts have also called on health authorities not to overstate what is known about hantavirus while trying to tamp down pandemic fears.
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
“It’s hard to overstate the impact this had on our client,” said Jay Edelson, the attorney representing the woman.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026
Committee chairman Alistair Carmichael said: "One cannot overstate the dangers of so many communities losing water supply for extended periods, including schools, GP surgeries and care homes."
From BBC • May 1, 2026
“How about gorgon's blood? Can you cure that, or did Bob overstate your talents?”
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
