överdrivna

Överdrivna is a Swedish adjective form used to describe something that has been exaggerated or overstated. In modern Swedish it most often appears in plural form to modify plural nouns, as in överdrivna påståenden ("exaggerated claims") or överdrivna reklaminslag ("exaggerated promotional elements"). When used with a singular noun, the base form is överdriven.

Origin and morphology: the term is built from the prefix över- meaning "over" or "too much" combined with the participle form related to the verb överdriva, which means "to exaggerate." The adjective överdriven (singular) becomes överdrivna in the indefinite plural, while the definite plural takes de överdrivna påståendena.

Usage and nuance: överdrivna carries an evaluative tone, signaling that something has been stretched beyond the truth or normal bounds. It is common in journalism, literary criticism, and everyday language when critiquing statements, representations, or descriptions that are perceived as excessive. The word can describe claims, depictions, comparisons, or sensational elements in media, discourse, and art.

Examples in context include överdrivna påståenden ("exaggerated claims"), överdrivna jämförelser ("exaggerated comparisons"), and överdrivna rubriker ("sensational headlines"). The term is typically used to convey a critical stance toward overstated qualities rather than a neutral description.

See also: language usage related to exaggeration, Swedish adjectives formed with the prefix över- and related terms for moderation or understatement in discourse.