Overstate

Pronunciation: /oʊvərsteɪt/

Definitions of overstate

verb to state or represent (something) too strongly; exaggerate

Example Sentences

A1 I think you are overestimating how long it will take to get there.

A2 She tends to overstate her abilities in job interviews.

B1 The advertisement may overstate the benefits of the product.

B2 It is important not to overstate the significance of this new technology.

C1 The journalist was criticized for consistently overstating the impact of the new policy.

C2 The author's tendency to overstate the importance of his work has been noted by critics.

Examples of overstate in a Sentence

formal It is important not to overstate the impact of this new policy on the economy.

informal Don't make it seem like the situation is worse than it actually is.

slang Let's not blow this out of proportion.

figurative She tends to exaggerate things and always overstates the facts.

Grammatical Forms of overstate

• past tense: overstated
• plural: overstates
• comparative: more overstated
• superlative: most overstated
• present tense: overstate
• future tense: will overstate
• perfect tense: has overstated
• continuous tense: is overstating
• singular: overstate
• positive degree: overstate
• infinitive: to overstate
• gerund: overstating
• participle: overstated

Origin and Evolution of overstate

First Known Use: 1530 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The word 'overstate' originated from the combination of the prefix 'over-' indicating excess or beyond and the word 'state' meaning to express or declare. It essentially means to exaggerate or inflate something beyond its actual value or importance.

Evolution of the word: Initially used in the 16th century, 'overstate' has retained its original meaning of exaggeration but has also come to be used more broadly to indicate any form of overemphasis or hyperbole in speech or writing.