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Oversimplify: meaning, definitions and examples

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oversimplify

 

[ ˈoʊvərˈsɪmpləˌfaɪ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

communication

To explain something in a way that is too simple or basic, often to the point of being misleading or inaccurate. Oversimplification can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

Synonyms

overgeneralize, reduce to basics, simplify too much

Examples of usage

  • He tends to oversimplify complex issues, which can be misleading.
  • She oversimplified the instructions, causing confusion among the team.
  • Don't oversimplify the situation, it's more complicated than you think.

Translations

Translations of the word "oversimplify" in other languages:

🇵🇹 simplificar demais

🇮🇳 अतिसरलीकरण करना

🇩🇪 übervereinfachen

🇮🇩 menyederhanakan secara berlebihan

🇺🇦 надто спрощувати

🇵🇱 nadmiernie upraszczać

🇯🇵 過度に単純化する (かどにたんじゅんかする)

🇫🇷 simplifier à l'excès

🇪🇸 simplificar en exceso

🇹🇷 aşırı basitleştirmek

🇰🇷 지나치게 단순화하다

🇸🇦 التبسيط المفرط

🇨🇿 přespříliš zjednodušovat

🇸🇰 príliš zjednodušovať

🇨🇳 过于简化 (guòyú jiǎnhuà)

🇸🇮 preveč poenostaviti

🇮🇸 ofureinfalda

🇰🇿 тым оңайлату

🇬🇪 ზედმეტად გამარტივება

🇦🇿 həddindən artıq sadələşdirmək

🇲🇽 simplificar en exceso

Etymology

The term 'oversimplify' originated in the early 20th century, combining the prefix 'over-' meaning excessively or too much, with 'simplify' meaning to make something easier to understand. The concept of oversimplification has been studied in various fields such as psychology, communication, and philosophy, highlighting the dangers of reducing complex ideas or issues to overly simplistic explanations.

See also: oversimplified, oversimplifying, simplifiable, simplification, simplifying.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,817 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.