overassert
verb
over·as·sert
ˌō-vər-ə-ˈsərt 
overasserted; overasserting
: to assert (something) too much or too strongly: such as
a
: to state or declare (something) positively and too forcefully or aggressively
He gives us facts without attempting to overassert psychological or social-historical interpretation.—
Richard Matthews
Richard MatthewsSitting together in front of a webcam, the girls show off their fashion designer friend's T-shirts, give "shout-outs" to fans, and overassert the legitimacy of their friendship.—Christopher Kelly
Christopher Kelly
b
: to assert (something, such as one's authority) to an excessive degree or extent
… the Declaration of Independence … with its condemnations of a government that overasserted its powers and usurped due process …—The San Francisco Chronicle
The San Francisco ChronicleSen. Jim Battin, R-Palm Desert … "heard from a number of tribal leaders that the commission is attempting to overassert its regulatory authority."—The Modesto (California) Bee
The Modesto (California) Bee
c
: to demonstrate the existence of (something) too conspicuously
Ghirri's favored palette is pale, soothing, often tending toward pastel, as if the images did not wish to speak too loudly or overassert their presence.—Teju Cole
Teju ColeOverly (and overtly) referential, Mr. Bern writes songs … with signifiers and self-satisfied winks in every line. Instead of adding layers, this tendency to overassert his lineage is annoying—Seth Mnookin
Seth Mnookin
overassertion
noun
plural overassertions
I decided that this was pompous, an overassertion, so I changed the sentence in what I imagined to be a more humble direction.
—Robert Trivers
Robert Trivers
But the self is not as important as it was before: now one is someone's mother and that is what counts. This is the opposite result to the overassertion of one's own importance.
—Juliet Mitchell
Juliet Mitchell
Phrases
overassert oneself
1
: to speak or act too forcefully or aggressively
Many officers see disrespect as a threat, not just to their job performance, but sometimes to their lives. For them, choosing to dominate testy citizens without overasserting themselves is not only an art but an attitude.—Deborah Sontag and Dan Barry
Deborah Sontag and Dan BarryYet there was a delicate balance. As a new guy, he didn't want to overassert himself. But given his position, he couldn't remain completely silent.—Patrick Stevens
Patrick Stevens2
: to become too strongly apparent
It contributes to the architecture by lightening the massive effect of the facade. It does its architectural duty without overasserting itself …—William Wilson
William WilsonDictionary Entries Near overassert
Cite this Entry
“Overassert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overassert. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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