overgeneralize
verb
over·gen·er·al·ize
| \ ˌō-vər-ˈjen-rə-ˌlīz
, -ˈje-nə-\
, -ˈje-nə-\
overgeneralized;
overgeneralizing
Definition of overgeneralize
: to generalize excessively: such as
a
intransitive
: to make excessively vague or general statements about something or someone
Of course, I am guilty here of grossly overgeneralizing, of caricaturing.— Peter Oliver
b
transitive + intransitive
: to generalize to the point of inaccuracy : to extrapolate a general theory, rule, etc. from too few facts or particulars
overgeneralizes from the results of a limited study Since the needs of a low vision person and of a blind person can be very different, it is important not to overgeneralize the nature of visual impairment.— Roberto Manduchi and James Coughlan
c
intransitive
: to apply a rule of language too broadly
At a certain stage of language growth, children characteristically overgeneralize: They say sleeped instead of slept, brang (on the analogy of sang) instead of brought, and so forth.— Noam Chomsky
Other Words from overgeneralize
overgeneralization
\ ˌō-vər-ˌjen-rə-lə-ˈzā-shən
, -ˌje-nə- \
noun,
plural overgeneralizations
, -ˌje-nə- \
noun,
plural overgeneralizations
… indulge in overgeneralization from fuzzy facts, or when facts are missing.
— Hy Ruchlis
… stereotypical overgeneralizations about the sexes …
— Nadine Taub and Elizabeth M. Schneider
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