Library / English Dictionary

OVERSIMPLIFY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected form: oversimplified   

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make too simple

Example:

Don't oversimplify the instructions

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "oversimplify" is one way to...):

simplify (make simpler or easier or reduce in complexity or extent)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

oversimplification (a simplification that goes too far (to the point of misrepresentation))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Simplify to an excessive degree

Example:

Don't oversimplify the problem

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "oversimplify" is one way to...):

exaggerate; overdo (do something to an excessive degree)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

oversimplification (an act of excessive simplification; the act of making something seem simpler than it really is)

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