seriously overstated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seriously overstated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has been exaggerated to a significant degree. Example: "The impact of the new policy has been seriously overstated by the media, leading to unnecessary panic among the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But this statistic is known to be seriously overstated — and some states have managed to get the number of uninsured drivers down to as little as 2percentt.

The New York Times

By January 2009, seven months after Mr Verwaayen's departure (he is now the boss of Alcatel-Lucent, a telecoms-equipment firm), BT said even those meagre profits had been seriously overstated.

The Economist

Yet others argue that the the Hegelian objection to a system of deterrent punishments is at least seriously overstated, and that it can be met if punishment is only threatened against, and only imposed on, those who commit crimes.

SEP

For China it is how best to unwind from a long period of overinvestment.BILAL HAFEEZ Global strategist Deutsche Bank Konzept London* You seriously overstated the case that, in present circumstances, deflation may deter investment and increase debt burdens.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The free and responsible American and English press also have an appropriate tradition of taking seriously their governments' concerns over physical safety and national security, which in some cases have themselves turned out to be overstated and deceptive.

The Guardian

Call it overstated understatement.

The New York Times

I kind of overstated it".

The New Yorker

"Seriously. "Seriously.

The New York Times - Magazine

The opposite, overstated, was what was meant.

The Guardian

The argument is provocative but overstated.

The New York Times - Books

The analogy was both overstated and unflattering.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seriously overstated", ensure you have evidence or reasoning to support your claim that something has been exaggerated. Provide specific examples or data to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Be mindful that while "seriously overstated" often suggests exaggeration, it doesn't necessarily imply intentional deception. It could simply be a misjudgment or misunderstanding. Consider the context before implying malicious intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seriously overstated" functions as an intensifier combined with a descriptive adjective. It modifies a noun or concept, indicating that it is not just overstated, but that the degree of overstatement is significant. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in evaluating claims or assessments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seriously overstated" is a phrase used to convey that something has been significantly exaggerated. While grammatically correct and appearing in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist, its usage is relatively rare. Ludwig AI indicates that it's commonly employed in news and media contexts to express skepticism or disagreement. When using the phrase, ensure you have evidence to support your claim and be mindful not to automatically attribute malice to the exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grossly exaggerated

Replaces "seriously" with "grossly", emphasizing a larger degree of exaggeration.

heavily inflated

Uses "heavily inflated" to suggest a deliberate exaggeration, particularly in numerical contexts.

significantly exaggerated

Replaces "seriously" with "significantly", indicating a notable degree of exaggeration.

wildly exaggerated

Emphasizes the extent of the exaggeration, implying it is far from the truth.

greatly magnified

Implies that the issue has been made larger than it really is, like using a magnifying glass.

substantially embellished

Indicates that details have been added to make something appear better or more significant than it is.

overdramatized

Suggests that the situation has been presented in an excessively dramatic manner.

blown out of proportion

Highlights that the issue has been made much more important or serious than it actually is.

painted in overly rosy colors

Implies that a situation or information has been presented in an unrealistically positive light.

taken to extremes

Suggests that the representation or description has been pushed beyond reasonable or factual limits.

FAQs

How can I use "seriously overstated" in a sentence?

You can use "seriously overstated" to describe situations where information, claims, or figures are considerably exaggerated. For example, "The media's portrayal of the event was "seriously overstated", leading to public panic".

What are some alternatives to "seriously overstated"?

Alternatives include "grossly exaggerated", "heavily inflated", or "significantly exaggerated", depending on the specific context you're describing.

Is there a difference between "overstated" and "seriously overstated"?

Yes, "seriously overstated" implies a greater degree of exaggeration than simply "overstated". The addition of "seriously" intensifies the claim that something is not just exaggerated, but significantly so.

Can "seriously overstated" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "seriously overstated" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when providing a critical analysis or assessment of data or claims. However, always ensure that your assertion is supported by evidence.