Oversimple: meaning, definitions and examples
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oversimple
[ ˌoʊvərˈsɪmpl ]
explanation, judgment
Oversimple refers to the quality of being excessively simplistic or reducing complex ideas, situations, or principles to a level that strips them of their essential complexities. This can happen in various contexts, including discussions, analyses, and problem-solving scenarios. While simplicity can often help in understanding, oversimplification can lead to misinterpretations and limited perspectives. It is especially relevant in fields such as education, communication, and critical thinking.
Synonyms
overgeneralized, reductive, simplistic
Examples of usage
- The professor warned against oversimple explanations.
- Oversimple models fail to capture real-world phenomena.
- Critics argue that the movie provides an oversimple portrayal of history.
Translations
Translations of the word "oversimple" in other languages:
🇵🇹 simplista
🇮🇳 सरलता से अधिक
🇩🇪 übervereinfachen
🇮🇩 terlalu sederhana
🇺🇦 надто простий
🇵🇱 zbyt prosty
🇯🇵 過度に単純
🇫🇷 trop simple
🇪🇸 demasiado simple
🇹🇷 aşırı basit
🇰🇷 너무 단순한
🇸🇦 مبسط بشكل مفرط
🇨🇿 příliš jednoduchý
🇸🇰 príliš jednoduchý
🇨🇳 过于简单
🇸🇮 preveč preprost
🇮🇸 ofur einfalt
🇰🇿 өте қарапайым
🇬🇪 ძალიან მარტივი
🇦🇿 həddindən artıq sadə
🇲🇽 demasiado simple
Etymology
The term 'oversimple' is formed by combining the prefix 'over-', which suggests excess or exaggeration, with the word 'simple', derived from the Latin 'simplus', meaning 'single' or 'uncompounded'. The prefix serves to emphasize the extent to which the concept of simplicity is stretched beyond acceptable limits. The usage of 'oversimple' started gaining traction in the 20th century as discussions around critical thinking, analysis, and the need for nuanced understanding became more prominent in various disciplines, including philosophy, sociology, and education. The word highlights the falling short of depth and complexity in descriptions or analyses, warning against the pitfalls of reducing rich information to mere placeholders.