overemphasizeo‧ver‧em‧pha‧size (also overemphasise British English) /ˌəʊvərˈemfəsaɪz $ ˌoʊ-/ verb [transitive] 
In the past the exam had been overemphasized. The importance of adequate preparation cannot be overemphasized (=used to say that something is very important).► see thesaurus at emphasize—overemphasis /-fəsɪs/ noun [singular]: There has been an overemphasis on content rather than methodology.
VERB TABLE
overemphasize
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | overemphasize |
| he, she, it | overemphasizes | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | overemphasized |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have overemphasized |
| he, she, it | has overemphasized | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had overemphasized |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will overemphasize |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have overemphasized |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am overemphasizing |
| he, she, it | is overemphasizing | |
| you, we, they | are overemphasizing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was overemphasizing |
| you, we, they | were overemphasizing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been overemphasizing |
| he, she, it | has been overemphasizing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been overemphasizing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be overemphasizing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been overemphasizing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- I think the book overemphasizes the importance of religion in the history of the US.
- The importance of car safety cannot be overemphasized.
- The importance of strict hygiene in the preparation of food cannot be overemphasized.
- The report overemphasizes the role of the teacher. Children also learn from their parents and from each other.
- It is hard to overemphasize the importance of this point.
THESAURUS
to say strongly or show clearly that a fact, idea etc is especially important: · Our company emphasizes the need for good communication between staff.
to emphasize something when you are talking about a subject: · Most schools stress the importance of parental involvement in their child’s learning.· He stressed the need for parents to listen to their children.
to show that something is important, so that people will pay special attention to it: · This case highlights the need for tougher laws on gun ownership.· The report highlights the decline in the numbers of native plants and insects.
to help to show clearly that a fact is true, especially a fact that is already known: · These attacks underline the fact that the security situation here remains fragile.· The president’s speech repeatedly underscored the progress that has been made.
to show something clearly and make it easier to notice: · The recent economic crisis has accentuated the gap between the rich and the poor.
to emphasize something too much: · The relation between food and health is often overemphasized in my view.
to emphasize something and make it seem more important than it really is, especially to get advantages for yourself: · The story has been played up by the media.· The Labour party had a great time playing up the Conservatives’ problems.
to say that something is much bigger, better, worse, more important etc than it really is: · He exaggerated his own achievements.· These claims are wildly exaggerated.· The grass in the garden was about three feet high – I’m not exaggerating.
to say a situation or event is a lot worse or much more serious than it really is: · The problem really has been blown up out of all proportion.
to treat something that has happened as though it were more important or serious than it really is – used especially when saying that you should not do this: · She loved the fact that he’d sent her flowers, but she didn’t want to make too much of it in case it meant nothing.· It's probably nothing – children often get these strange ideas. You shouldn’t make too much of them
(also overemphasise British English) to say that a part of something is more important and has a bigger effect than is really true, especially in relation to other things: · The importance of cleanliness in the preparation of food cannot be overemphasized.· Historians have tended to overemphasize the role of the monarchy in British history.
to describe something in a way that makes it sound more important or serious than it really is: · Sometimes she overstates her case.· The importance of advertising can hardly be overstated.
to make something seem more important than it is, in the way that you talk about it or treat it: · The media has greatly overplayed this issue.
to make someone or something seem much better, less harmful etc than they really are – used when you think it is wrong to do this: · His films glorify violence.· My father never glorified war.· These images were produced in order to glorify the empire.
informal to talk about something in a way that makes it appear more important, interesting, or successful than it really is, especially to get someone’s support or interest: · At the interview, he talked up his experience of working in sales.· The government tried to talk up the threat posed by these countries, in order to justify an increase in military spending.
adjective if you think someone or something is overrated, you think they are not nearly as good as people claim: · I think her books are overrated.· As a player he’s overrated.
adjective an idealized image, view, picture etc of someone or something shows them as being much better than they really are: · His books give an idealized picture of English rural life.· her friend’s idealized view of marriage
Longman Language Activatorto emphasize something too strongly to emphasize something too much: · I think the book overemphasizes the importance of religion in the history of the US.
British /belabor the point American to emphasize an idea or a fact too strongly, especially by repeating it often so that people get bored: · I understand what you're saying -- there's no need to labour the point.· I don't want to keep belaboring the point, but the Barnes Foundation is an educational institution, not a museum.
to exaggerate something to say that something is much bigger, better, worse, more important etc than it really is: · "He said you walked 30 miles." "No - he's exaggerating. It was only about 15."· Newspapers tend to exaggerate their influence on the way people vote.· The grass in the garden was about three feet high - I'm not exaggerating.
to say that a situation or event is a lot worse or much more serious than it really is, especially with the result that people become very worried or annoyed: · The whole thing has been blown out of all proportion by the media.· It was just a simple disagreement. Don't blow it up out of all proportion.
to treat something that has happened as though it were more important or serious than it really is: · The press made too much of his stupid remark. He was only joking.· She loved the fact that he'd sent her flowers, but she didn't want to make too much of it in case it meant nothing.
if someone or something is overrated , people say they are much better than they really are: · I think her books are very overrated.· Critics claim that many soccer players are overpaid, overrated and out of touch.
also overemphasise British to say that a part of something is more important than it really is, especially in relation to other things: · The report overemphasizes the role of the teacher. Children also learn from their parents and from each other.· The importance of strict hygiene in the preparation of food cannot be overemphasized.
to describe something in a way that makes it sound more important or serious than it really is, especially in order to persuade people about something: · The company says that the dangers of driving while using cell phones have been overstated.· Politicians typically overstate their case in order to get their point across.
behaving as if a situation is much worse or more serious than it really is, especially with the result that you seem silly: · Oh, don't be so melodramatic! You're not the only one who has ever failed an exam.· She said she'd kill herself if he left her. She's always so melodramatic!
informal to say that your situation is much worse or you feel much more upset than is really true, in order to make someone feel sorry for you: · She really laid it on - saying that her kids would starve if we didn't give you a job.lay it on thick: · Most charities lay it on so thick it's hard to know what the truth is.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The importance of adequate preparation cannot be overemphasized (=used to say that something is very important).
to give something more importance than it deserves or than is suitable: The importance of adequate preparation cannot be overemphasized (=used to say that something is very important). In the past the exam had been overemphasized. The importance of adequate preparation cannot be overemphasized (=used to say that something is very important).► see thesaurus at emphasize—overemphasis /-fəsɪs/ noun [singular]: There has been an overemphasis on content rather than methodology.