1. to refine or perfect something excessively; to make something overly subtle, detailed, or complicated
Usage: transitive verb; often used critically to suggest unnecessary or counterproductive refinement

Examples

• The author tends to overrefine her prose, adding so many clauses that readers lose the main point.
• Don't overrefine the recipe—sometimes simple ingredients work best.
• He overrefined his argument with too many technical distinctions that confused the audience.
• The designer overrefined the interface, making it harder to use rather than easier.
• Critics say the composer overrefined the melody until it lost its original charm.