as in simplifying
to describe (something) in a way that does not include all the facts and details and that causes misunderstanding
The article oversimplifies the problem. She tends to oversimplify things.
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Recent Examples of oversimplifying
That’s oversimplifying things, Bryant counters.
—
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Nigerian officials and outside analysts warned that framing the conflict strictly in religious terms risked oversimplifying complex security dynamics.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
But most of experts dismissed the Tweet as oversimplifying and attempting to extrapolate from an impossible comparison.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
But specialists say the policy risks oversimplifying a problem that is far more complex.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Since the amount of energy lost through radiation depends on the elements present, oversimplifying their behavior means missing the key physics behind how the solar atmosphere really works.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025
Concerns about oversimplifying what is a very tangible and growing problem are why The Or Foundation started Speak Volumes, an initiative that calls on fashion purveyors to publicly declare their production volumes.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
But anyone who makes that claim is oversimplifying.
—PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) expressed similar concern about the dangers of oversimplifying treatment.
—Alice Park, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Nigerian officials and outside analysts warned that framing the conflict strictly in religious terms risked oversimplifying complex security dynamics.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
But most of experts dismissed the Tweet as oversimplifying and attempting to extrapolate from an impossible comparison.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
But specialists say the policy risks oversimplifying a problem that is far more complex.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Since the amount of energy lost through radiation depends on the elements present, oversimplifying their behavior means missing the key physics behind how the solar atmosphere really works.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025
Concerns about oversimplifying what is a very tangible and growing problem are why The Or Foundation started Speak Volumes, an initiative that calls on fashion purveyors to publicly declare their production volumes.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
But anyone who makes that claim is oversimplifying.
—PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) expressed similar concern about the dangers of oversimplifying treatment.
—Alice Park, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oversimplifying
simplifying
Verb
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Fennell has also stripped down the first half, removing some major characters and simplifying the motivations of others.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
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In either scenario, simplifying your checklist should give you a buffer of extra time.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oversimplifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oversimplifying. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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