oversell

[ oh-ver-sel ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·sold, o·ver·sell·ing.

1. to sell more of (a stock, product, etc.) than can be delivered.
2. to sell aggressively, as by using high-pressure merchandising techniques.
3. to emphasize the good points of excessively and to a self-defeating extent:

   She so oversold the picnic that I became convinced I'd have a better time at the movies.

verb (used without object)

, o·ver·sold, o·ver·sell·ing.

1. to sell something aggressively.
2. to make extreme claims for something or someone.

oversell

/ ˌəʊvəˈsɛl /

verb

1. tr to sell more of (a commodity) than can be supplied
2. to use excessively aggressive methods in selling (commodities)
3. tr to exaggerate the merits of

Word History and Origins

Origin of oversell¹

First recorded in 1570–80; over- + sell ¹

Example Sentences

No superlative too grand to oversell the matchup.

From Los Angeles Times

I don't want to oversell this because my daughter still loves French fries, but now she knows that in order to get those normal fries you're going to have to enjoy some green ones first.

From Salon

In the same way that airlines oversell seats, cruise lines may compensate for cancellations by overselling staterooms.

From New York Times

You have to do the homework and absorb it and not oversell it, not undersell.

From Los Angeles Times

He was critiqued by the then Mayor David Dinkins for letting inexperienced people plan the event and oversell tickets.

From Salon

Related Words

• exaggerate
• magnify
• overestimate
• overvalue