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oversimplify

[oh-ver-sim-pluh-fahy] / ˌoʊ vərˈsɪm pləˌfaɪ /
VERB
make too simple
Synonyms


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.

See Examples For:

"Conventional simulations oversimplify real materials, while experiments reveal complexity without a clear way to quantify cause and effect," explains Prof. Kotsugi.

From Science Daily May 18, 2026

Wald doesn’t think investors should oversimplify and assume that a strong dollar is always a headwind for big U.S. multinational companies—or a weak dollar supportive because it makes exports cheaper.

From Barron's Feb. 2, 2026

“Blanket messages may oversimplify complex evidence,” they wrote.

From MarketWatch Dec. 23, 2025

They also warn against making broad generalizations, which tend to oversimplify the complicated and intertwined causes of crime.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 24, 2024

I’m not trying to oversimplify or make the process seem oversubtle.

From "Native Son" by Richard Wright

Focusing too hard on the success stories glosses over these patients’ experiences—and oversimplifies the complex nature of treating chronic pain for teens who come to these programs hoping for a cure.

From Slate Sep. 15, 2025

In interviews, several researchers said the blanket warning Dr. Murthy has proposed — “social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents” — stretches and oversimplifies the scientific evidence.

From New York Times Jun. 19, 2024

"That number really oversimplifies what happens physiologically in the body when your body is exposed to that temperature, and it doesn't account for important variables like age or other vulnerability factors."

From Science Daily Nov. 30, 2023

"It is crucial to recognise that blaming Ronaldo alone oversimplifies a complex issue," he said.

From BBC Nov. 29, 2023

Suffice to say that there is a core of truth to Jefferson’s account of the dinner-table bargain, though it vastly oversimplifies the history that was happening at that propitious moment.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

“We are concerned this testing, without the proper scientific, regulatory and environmental context, can lead to oversimplified statements, not representative of the product category or industry.”

From Salon Mar. 20, 2026

Mr. Dhume may think that the newly minted labor codes’ permissive hiring rules only apply to private firms that have fewer than 300 workers—instead of 100 workers like before—but that’s an oversimplified analysis.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 26, 2026

“What people are seeing are really oversimplified TikToks or reels that say put $300 in Roth and you’ll have $1 million later on,” said Holden.

From MarketWatch Jan. 13, 2026

"The ice giant classification is oversimplified as Uranus and Neptune are still poorly understood," says Luca Morf, PhD student at the University of Zurich and lead author of the work.

From Science Daily Dec. 10, 2025

Listen to this: “The dynamic interstices of the Harlem sub-culture have been oversimplified and distorted by Malcolm X to meet his own needs.”

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

“I think we are way oversimplifying health here and worry that some women will not get treated for major conditions.”

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 13, 2026

To them, Vance's portrayal of Appalachian in both his book and on rally stages feels like an outsider's perspective, oversimplifying the complexities and resilience of their communities.

From Salon Aug. 5, 2024

But AI is not a monolith, and anyone who says it’s either all good or all evil is oversimplifying.

From Washington Post Mar. 12, 2023

If that sounds like oversimplifying things, then you’re starting to understand the inner life of Paul, the 42-year-old would-be hero of Teddy Wayne’s fifth novel, “The Great Man Theory.”

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 6, 2022

He was oversimplifying here, skittering off there, dodging and feinting.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee



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