overstate
/'ouvə'steit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To state something in a way that makes it seem more important, serious, or impressive than it really is; to exaggerate.
- To enlarge or amplify a description, claim, or fact beyond the bounds of strict truth.
Usage
- Verb (transitive): The verb "overstate" requires a direct object. It is used to indicate that someone is presenting information with excessive emphasis.
- You should not overstate your qualifications on a resume.
- The article overstates the risks associated with the new technology.
Examples
- Verb:
- The company was accused of overstating its profits in the annual report.
- I don't want to overstate the case, but this is a very significant discovery.
- Politicians often overstate the benefits of their proposed policies.
Advanced Usage
- "It is hard to overstate...": This common phrase is used to emphasize that something is extremely important or significant. It means it is difficult to exaggerate its importance because it is so great.
- It is hard to overstate the impact she has had on this organization.
- "To overstate the obvious": To emphasize a point that is already very clear to everyone.
- I don't mean to overstate the obvious, but we need to finish this project on time.
Variants and Related Words
- Overstatement (noun): An exaggerated statement.
- His claim of having "millions of followers" was a clear overstatement.
- Overstated (adjective): Described or presented in an exaggerated manner.
- The film's costumes were beautiful but somewhat overstated for a historical drama.
Synonyms
- Exaggerate: To represent something as being larger, better, or worse than it really is.
- Magnify: To make something seem more important or serious than it is.
- Embroider: To add fictitious or exaggerated details to a story.
- Hyperbolize: To use hyperbole; to exaggerate for effect.
Antonyms
- Understate: To describe or represent something as being smaller, less important, or less serious than it actually is.
- Minimize: To represent something as less significant than it is.
- Downplay: To make something seem less important or serious.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "Not to overstate it/things": A phrase used to introduce a statement while cautioning that one is trying to avoid exaggeration.
- Not to overstate things, but this is the best meal I've ever had.
- "To say the least": An idiomatic expression often used after a statement that is actually an understatement, implying the reality is even more extreme. It is related because it comments on the degree of a statement.
- The test results were disappointing, to say the least. (This implies the results were very bad, perhaps worse than "disappointing" suggests.)
Verb
- to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth
- tended to romanticize and exaggerate this `gracious Old South' imagery