overemphasize

verb

over·​em·​pha·​size ˌō-vər-ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsīz How to pronounce overemphasize (audio)
overemphasized; overemphasizing

transitive verb

: to give excessive emphasis to (something)
overemphasize risks
We have overemphasized the differences between men and women.Zosia Bielski
… people feeling pushed into starting businesses … in a culture that overemphasizes entrepreneurialism.Derrick Penner
I can't overemphasize the importance of this turning point in my life.Genesse Gentry
We … cannot overemphasize how important it is to keep up with latest security fixes …Rene Gielen
The value of a good reputation cannot be overemphasized.J. Dwight Pentecost
It's hard to overemphasize how significant this development will be …Rich Smith

Examples of overemphasize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The new council majority has argued that the prior group overemphasized bike transportation, as opposed to vehicles, and note that vehicles are the way that most people get around town. Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025 That Huo doesn’t overemphasize the signifiers of change is an admirable kind of restraint. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025 The national importance of this prosecution cannot be overemphasized. Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025 First, a person starts to overemphasize their wins, leading them to gamble more. Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overemphasize

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overemphasize was in 1875

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Cite this Entry

“Overemphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overemphasize. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

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