overstate

[oh-ver-steyt] / ˌoʊ vərˈsteɪt /

VERB

exaggerate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amplify emphasize heighten inflate magnify misrepresent overdo overemphasize overestimate

STRONG

boast boost brag embellish embroider enlarge exalt expand fabricate fudge hike lie misquote pad puff

WEAK

blow out of proportion build up lay it on thick misreport play up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

compress contract decrease ignore lessen play down

STRONG

abridge be modest deprecate lower reduce shrink simplify tell the truth

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.

When displacement is overstated, such programs risk doing harm.

From The Wall Street Journal

The French proverb “to understand all is to forgive all” might be overstating matters.

From Los Angeles Times

West Midlands Police has admitted it "overstated the evidence" used to make the decision to ban Israeli fans from a match in Birmingham.

From BBC

She said the damage caused by the strike could not be "overstated" and was "illustrated by the experience of Chloe's family".

From BBC

Fairyland’s importance in the area of the puppet arts would be hard to overstate.

From Los Angeles Times