Overemphatic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Stressing a point, feeling or word more strongly than is necessary or appropriate, so that it seems exaggerated
2. Placing too much force or weight on something spoken, written or shown, beyond what the situation calls for
3. Describing speech or action that puts undue stress on a matter, making it sound more forceful than intended

Etymology: "Overemphatic" is a plain formation: the prefix "over-", meaning excessive or too much, attached to "emphatic." The adjective "emphatic" comes from the Greek "emphatikos," meaning "expressive" or "forcible," built on "emphainein," to show or indicate, which gave English a term for speech that stresses something strongly. Adding "over-" yields the sense of stress applied beyond what is needed. The prefix is one of English's most productive, able to attach to almost any adjective or verb to signal excess, so "overemphatic" follows the same pattern as words like "overcautious" or "overeager." Its meaning is transparent from its parts, which is why it needed no special coinage story.

Synonyms: exaggerated, overstated, excessive

Antonyms: understated, restrained, muted