exaggerate

[ig-zaj-uh-reyt] / ɪgˈzædʒ əˌreɪt /

VERB

overstate, embellish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amplify distort emphasize fabricate falsify heighten inflate magnify misrepresent overdo overdraw overemphasize overestimate

STRONG

boast boost brag caricature color corrupt embroider enlarge exalt expand fudge hike hyperbolize intensify lie misquote pad puff pyramid romance romanticize scam stretch up

WEAK

blow out of proportion build up cook up go to extremes lay it on thick loud talk make too much of misreport pretty up put on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

compress contract decrease ignore lessen play down

STRONG

abridge be modest deprecate lower reduce shrink

WEAK

depreciate minimize understate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rumanes’ lawsuit describes a “culture of deception” at Live Nation, saying its “basic business model was to misstate and exaggerate financial figures in efforts to solicit and secure business.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

John Davies, from the Insurance Fraud Bureau, said "opportunistic" customers were using AI to exaggerate genuine claims.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Fast-growing options markets exaggerate the price moves in both directions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The U.S. trade deficit and the production of inventories —or unsold goods — are also wild cards that could exaggerate ups and downs in fourth-quarter GDP.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026

There was desperation in all she said, an emptiness at its core, or something excluded or unnamed that made her talk faster, and exaggerate with less conviction.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Vocabulary lists containing exaggerate

Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items

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