overstated

/ˌəʊ.vəˈsteɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈovɚstˌetɪd] /ˌoʊ.vɚˈsteɪt/ (ame, ipa)

overstated — verb

1. past tense and past participle of 'overstate'; presented a fact, cost, or proble

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

past tense and past participle of 'overstate'; presented a fact, cost, or problem as larger or more serious than the evidence supported.

例句

The minister overstated the expected savings in yesterday's radio interview.

common object: savings / figures / benefits

In court, Ava overstated how badly the leak had damaged her shop.

pattern: overstated how badly + clause

同義詞
  • exaggerated

    broader and less formal, often used for stories, emotions, or effects as well as facts

  • inflated

    often used for numbers, costs, prices, or importance made too large

  • overplayed

    often suggests giving too much weight to a risk, problem, or advantage

  • magnified

    can be more figurative, making a small issue seem larger than it is

反義詞
  • understated

    made something sound smaller or less serious than it really was

  • downplayed

    made something seem less important, often on purpose

文法句型

overstated + risk/cost/problem

overstated how much/how badly + clause

be overstated

用法筆記

Usually takes a direct object naming a risk, cost, result, or problem, or a clause showing degree such as 'how much' or 'how badly'. This form is common in reports, interviews, and legal or political discussion, and it also appears in the passive when a claim is said to sound too strong.

常見錯誤

❌The notice overstated about the danger.
✅The notice overstated the danger.
💡'overstate' takes a direct object, not 'about'.
❌The figures were overstate in the article.
✅The figures were overstated in the article.
💡after 'were', use the past participle form 'overstated'.