overrepresent
Show too many
To overrepresent is to give something a larger share or presence than its actual proportion warrants.
Certain demographics may be overrepresented in surveys, professions, or media portrayals: Women are overrepresented in nursing; men are overrepresented in engineering.
The term implies statistical or perceptual distortion rather than deliberate bias, though the two often overlap.
Fill with gas
- overstateRepresent as greater
- amplifyIncrease in strength
- magnifyIncrease perceived size
- overemphasizeStress something too much
embellish · overplay · hyperbolize · oversell · overdraw · overestimate · stretch · dramatize
Twist from straight
- distortTwist from original form
- disproportionateNot properly scaled
- imbalanceLack of proportion
- disproportionLack of proper balance
inequity · partiality · favoritism · slant · unfairness · one-sidedness · prejudice · discrimination
inflate
Fill with gas
overemphasize · embellish · overplay · hyperbolize · oversell · overdraw · overestimate · stretch · dramatize · overcount
skew
Twist from straight
- distortTwist from original form
- disproportionateNot properly scaled
- imbalanceLack of proportion
disproportion · inequity · partiality · favoritism · slant · unfairness · one-sidedness · prejudice · discrimination · stereotype
predominate
Be the main element
- overshadowDominate by comparison
- dominateControl through superior strength
- crowd outExclude by overwhelming
eclipse · outweigh · prevail · monopolize · overwhelm · drown out · overpower · outnumber · swamp · saturate
overrepresentunderrepresent
Show disproportionately few
undercount · understate · marginalize · exclude · omit