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oversimplify

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To oversimplify is to take a subject and reduce it down to such a simple explanation that some meaning is lost.

(verb)

When you try to explain a complicated economic concept and you lose such simple terms that you distort the meaning of the economic concept, this is an example of when you oversimplify.

See oversimplify in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb oversimplified, oversimplifying

to simplify to the point of distortion, as by ignoring essential details

Related Forms:

oversimplification noun

See oversimplify in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb o·ver·sim·pli·fied, o·ver·sim·pli·fy·ing, o·ver·sim·pli·fies

verb, transitive

To simplify to the point of causing misrepresentation, misconception, or error.

verb, intransitive

To cause distortion or error by extreme simplification of a subject.

Related Forms:

oˌver·simˌpli·fi·caˈtion (-fĭ-kāˈshən) noun

oˌver·simˈpli·fiˌer noun

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