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Showing results for overemphasize. Search instead for overemphase.
Definitions

overemphasize

[oh-ver-em-fuh-sahyz] / ˌoʊ vərˈɛm fəˌsaɪz /
VERB
embroider
Synonyms
STRONGEST
embellish
STRONG
aggrandize amplify color distend dramatize elaborate enhance enlarge expand falsify fudge heighten hyperbolize lie magnify overdo overestimate overstate pad puff romanticize stretch
WEAK
blow-up build up make federal case make mountain out of molehill overelaborate overembellish play up spread on thick stretch the truth yeast
Antonyms
STRONG
abridge compress condense contract curtail decrease diminish lessen lower reduce shorten shrink simplify
VERB
exaggerate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amplify distort emphasize fabricate falsify heighten inflate magnify misrepresent overdo overdraw overestimate
STRONG
boast boost brag caricature color corrupt embroider enlarge exalt expand fudge hike hyperbolize intensify lie misquote pad puff pyramid romance romanticize scam stretch up
WEAK
blow out of proportion build up cook up go to extremes lay it on thick loud talk make too much of misreport pretty up put on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compress contract decrease ignore lessen play down
STRONG
abridge be modest deprecate lower reduce shrink
WEAK
depreciate minimize understate
VERB
magnify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aggravate enhance inflate overestimate overstate
STRONG
boost color dramatize embellish embroider fudge overcharge overdo overdraw overplay overrate overstress pad pyramid
WEAK
blow up make mountain of molehill puff up
Antonyms
STRONG
simplify
WEAK
decrease diminish lessen miniaturize play down weaken
VERB
overplay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exaggerate maximize overdo overstate overuse
STRONG
accent accentuate dramatize hyperbolize magnify mug overact overdraw overstress overwork stretch
WEAK
blow out of proportion get carried away ham it up labor at lay it on thick point up show off
Antonyms
WEAK
play down
VERB
overstate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amplify emphasize heighten inflate magnify misrepresent overdo overestimate
STRONG
boast boost brag embellish embroider enlarge exalt expand fabricate fudge hike lie misquote pad puff
WEAK
blow out of proportion build up lay it on thick misreport play up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compress contract decrease ignore lessen play down
STRONG
abridge be modest deprecate lower reduce shrink simplify tell the truth

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’s hard to overemphasize the chaos an abrupt revocation of identity documents can inflict on a person’s life.

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026

“There has been a propensity to overemphasize short term, technical headlines and overlook the broader direction of travel within our industry,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

The researchers are taking care not to overemphasize the results of their findings, saying the changes, while significant, remain slight.

From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2024

“I think the authors overemphasize the evolutionary significance of their work,” says Robert Blankenship, an emeritus biochemist at Washington University in St. Louis.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 18, 2023

However, origin stories may leave out key aspects of what actually happened and overemphasize others.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz