overemphasize
[verb]
Synonyms: overstress, belabour, blow up out of all proportion, make a mountain out of a molehill (informal), overdramatize

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Antonyms: underemphasize

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English Thesaurus: emphasize, stress, highlight, underline/underscore, accentuate, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

o‧ver‧em‧pha‧size (also overemphasise British English) /ˌəʊvərˈemfəsaɪz $ ˌoʊ-/ verb [transitive]
to give something more importance than it deserves or than is suitable:
In the past the exam had been overemphasized.
The importance of adequate preparation cannot be overemphasized (=used to say that something is very important).
—overemphasis /-fəsəs, -fəsɪs/ noun [singular]:
There has been an overemphasis on content rather than methodology.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

emphasize to say strongly or show clearly that a fact, idea etc is especially important:
Our company emphasizes the need for good communication between staff.
stress 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.
highlight 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.
underline/underscore 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.
accentuate to show something clearly and make it easier to notice:
The recent economic crisis has accentuated the gap between the rich and the poor.
overemphasize to emphasize something too much:
The relation between food and health is often overemphasized in my view.
play up 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.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

exaggerate 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.
blow something (up) out of all proportion 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.
make too much of something 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
overemphasize (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.
overstate 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.
overplay 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.
glorify 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.
talk something up 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.
overrated 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.
idealized 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

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

worry the feeling of not being happy or relaxed and thinking a lot about a problem or something that is wrong:
She was sick with worry over her daughter.
the look of worry on his face
anxiety the feeling of being worried because you think that something bad has happened or will happen, and you feel that you have no control over the situation:
The thought of having to give a speech filled me with anxiety.
The increase in heating costs is causing a lot of anxiety among elderly people.
concern a worried feeling – use this especially when many people are worried about a problem that affects everyone:
The shortage of water is beginning to cause widespread concern.
stress the feeling of being worried all the time, for example about work or personal problems, which can make you ill or very tired:
Her financial problems were causing her a lot of stress.
anguish a feeling of extreme mental suffering caused by worry:
How could her parents survive the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her?
When she spoke, her voice was full of anguish.
angst a strong feeling of worry and anxiety because you are worried about your life, your future, or what you should do in a particular situation:
The letter was full of teenage angst - would she ever be able to find another boyfriend?
There was much angst about the decision.
stress the importance of something
He has always stressed the importance of a stable family.
stress the need for something
She stressed the need for more effective policing.
stress a point
This point needs to be stressed.
stress a fact
Medicines usually stress the fact that you must not exceed the stated dose.
stress the role of somebody/something
In her speech, she stressed the role of parents in preventing youth crime.
stress your commitment to (doing) something
The President stressed his commitment to tackling world poverty.
emphasize to say strongly or show clearly that a fact, idea etc is especially important:
Our company emphasizes the need for good communication between staff.
highlight 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.
underline/underscore 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.
accentuate to show something clearly and make it easier to notice:
The recent economic crisis has accentuated the gap between the rich and the poor.
overemphasize to emphasize something too much:
The relation between food and health is often overemphasized in my view.
play up 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.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲