Overstatement | Definition, Meaning & Examples

Overstatement is a rhetorical device that uses deliberate over-exaggeration to emphasize a point or evoke an emotional reaction (e.g., “I’ve told you a million times!”). Overstatement is used in literature and everyday language not to lie but to make something seem more important or serious than it actually is.

Overstatement definition

Overstatement is the use of intentional exaggeration in speech or writing to make an argument more compelling or pack a harder emotional punch. Unlike lies or inaccuracies, overstatement is not meant to mislead. Rather, overstatement is used to amplify emotion and can even add humor.

Overstatement is quite common in everything from everyday language and prose to poetry and speeches. Overstatements often use metaphors and similes to amplify their impact and make abstract ideas more relatable. For example, the metaphor “an ocean of sand” overstates the enormity of a desert.

Overstatements tend to be obviously exaggerated, making them easy to distinguish from outright lies. However, some instances of overstatement can be intentionally misleading, such as if a businessperson overstates the worth of their company to investors.

Overstatement vs. hyperbole

Overstatement and hyperbole are similar rhetorical devices that involve exaggeration, but they are different in their purpose and use.

• Hyperbole is generally understood as a form of figurative language to evoke emotion, add a dramatic flair, or create vivid imagery. For instance, saying, “You scared me to death!” is hyperbole conveying extreme fright.
• Overstatement is a rhetorical device used to create a dramatic effect by intentionally exaggerating the importance or seriousness of something. For example, a weight-loss supplement that advertises “Lose 10 lbs of fat overnight!”

Overstatement vs. understatement

Overstatement and understatement are both rhetorical devices that create emphasis but in opposite directions. Overstatement exaggerates for effect, while understatement downplays for subtlety.

• Overstatement involves a deliberate exaggeration to create drama, add emphasis, or evoke humor. For example, “It’s so hot outside, I’m literally melting.”
• Understatement involves purposely downplaying the importance or intensity of something, often to achieve modesty, subtlety, or irony. For example, describing a serious injury as “just a scratch.”

Simply put, overstatement exaggerates a point, while understatement lessens it.

Overstatement examples

Overstatement is often used in literary works to exaggerate the importance or seriousness of something. It can evoke intense emotion and leave a lasting impact, which is why it’s used in all types of written and spoken word.