overemphasize
Make too prominent
To overemphasize is to give something more importance or attention than it deserves: I can't overemphasize the need for caution.
The word often appears in negative constructions where the speaker actually wants to stress maximum emphasis: The importance of this discovery cannot be overemphasized.
Also spelled overemphasise in British English.
Represent as greater
- inflateFill with gas
- magnifyIncrease perceived size
- amplifyIncrease in strength
- hyperbolizeTo exaggerate extravagantly
overplay · overdraw · oversell · embellish · dramatize · overdo · blow up · overvalue
Pressure, mental or vocal
- accentuateTo give emphasis
- highlightMost notable part
- underscoreLow horizontal text mark
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
foreground · prioritize · belabor · harp on · dwell on · hammer home · drive home · overstress
Twist from straight
- misrepresentDepict inaccurately or falsely
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- slantOblique angle or bias
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
warp · misinterpret · misstate · imbalance · disproportionate · lopsided · one-sided · unbalanced
overstate
Represent as greater
hyperbolize · overplay · overdraw · oversell · embellish · dramatize · overdo · blow up · overvalue · overrate
stress
Pressure, mental or vocal
- accentuateTo give emphasis
- highlightMost notable part
- underscoreLow horizontal text mark
spotlight · foreground · prioritize · belabor · harp on · dwell on · hammer home · drive home · overstress · overattention
skew
Twist from straight
- misrepresentDepict inaccurately or falsely
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- slantOblique angle or bias
bias · warp · misinterpret · misstate · imbalance · disproportionate · lopsided · one-sided · unbalanced · misreport
overemphasizeunderemphasize
Give inadequate attention to
downplay · understate · minimize · underplay · de-emphasize
overemphasizeunderstate
Express with restraint
downplay · belittle · diminish · play down · depreciate
overemphasis, overemphasized, overemphasizes, overemphasise, overemphasizing, overemphasised, overemphasises, overemphasising