You are correct and I agree with you. GraphQL can be used effectively like this and I've seen one example where GraphQL is used like this. New endpoint can be defined very quickly and it is essentially like a REST API with the possibility of the client specifying what data it wants back (as you described).
The other extreme end example is to expose by default the entire data model (PostGraphile) and then getting lost in the customisation and authorisation.
The other extreme end example is to expose by default the entire data model (PostGraphile) and then getting lost in the customisation and authorisation.