# overstate

**Pronunciation:** /ˌoʊvərˈsteɪt/ · OH-ver-stayt

**CEFR level:** C1

**Part of speech:** verb

## Meaning

To describe or represent something as being larger, greater, or more important than it really is.

## Examples

- He tended to overstate his achievements in his resume.
- The media often overstates the impact of minor events.
- She felt her boss was overstating the urgency of the project.

## Synonyms

- exaggerate — To make something seem larger or more important than it is.
- amplify — To increase the effect or importance of something.
- magnify — To make something appear larger or more significant than it is.
- embellish — To add decorative details or features, often to make something more interesting or attractive, sometimes by adding untrue details.

## Antonyms

- understate — To say or show something in a way that is less extreme than is likely or true.
- minimize — To reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree.

## Common patterns

- overstate something — To describe something as larger, greater, or more important than it is. — You're overstating the problem; it's not that serious.
- overstate one's case — To argue a point too strongly or aggressively, making it less convincing. — If you overstate your case, the jury might think you're being dishonest.

## Collocations

- overstate the case — He tried to overstate his case, but the judge saw through his arguments.
- overstate the importance — It's easy to overstate the importance of a single test score.
- overstate the risks — The report did not overstate the risks associated with the new technology.

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