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Glite Dictionary
underemphasis

underemphasis

7.4
Not giving enough attention or importance to something
  • noun
  • /ˌʌndərˈɛmfəˌsɪs/
translation icon : subestimación
  • The underemphasis of safety protocols in the workplace could lead to serious accidents.

Examples

  • The underemphasis on performance in the Arts Report Card, in terms of both space allocated and amount of detail provided, has been a source of puzzlement and dismay to many educators in the performing arts.

    Academic text (1999)

  • This leads to an underemphasis of possible labor and goods market effects.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The professor noted the underemphasis on environmental issues during the discussion.

  • Her report showed an underemphasis on the importance of team collaboration in project success.

Synonyms

understatement
vsunderemphasis
70 5.6

Saying something in a way that makes it seem less important, serious, or bad than it really is

applies to giving too little importance rather than a stylistic minimization
trivialization
vsunderemphasis
  • US
1 7.1

Making something seem less important or serious than it is

focuses on giving too little attention rather than only downplaying seriousness
underexposure
vsunderemphasis
1 7.5

A situation where someone or something gets little public attention

refers to lack of attention generally, not only public visibility
de-emphasis
vsunderemphasis
5.3

Reducing the importance of something in a policy or practice

describes giving too little attention rather than a deliberate reduction
to de-emphasize
vsunderemphasis
  • US
5.3

Make something seem less important

can indicate a general lack of attention rather than an active choice

Antonyms

overemphasis
1 6.1

Too much attention to one thing makes people ignore other things

How Emphasized

overemphasis
1 6.1
emphasis
296 3.1
underemphasis
7.4

Surface Forms

underemphasis singular
underemphases plural

Morphology

underemphasis = emphasis (transparent) = under + emphasis + under

Formed by productive English prefix 'under-' + 'emphasis', meaning 'insufficient emphasis', which is directly deducible by learners familiar with the parts.

Etymology

Underemphasis comes from the parts under- meaning 'below' or 'not enough' and emphasis meaning 'extra attention' or 'stress'. So underemphasis means giving something too little attention, like putting the important part 'under' the notice.