overemphasized; overemphasizing
Synonyms of overemphasizenext

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.
Cole did worry that curators might overemphasize the diagnosis, that King would no longer be an artist but an autistic artist, and therefore a symbol of something—resilience, perhaps, or liberation through creativity. Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 Get and Accept Support The benefits of support from not only your medical team but also loved ones during your cancer journey cannot be overemphasized. Joy Emeh, HEALTH, 22 Aug. 2026 Almost everybody overemphasizes buying the technology and chasing the easy-to-measure things, headcount reduction among them. Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 But whereas weaker seasons have relied on this feeding loop to the point of exhaustion, overemphasizing one side or the other, this time, new challenges keep emerging, giving personality quirks new angles through which to be reflected. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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