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Showing results for exaggerate.
Definitions

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.

Adding to the confusion is a recent University of Michigan study suggesting that the gloves worn by researchers may exaggerate results.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

They include a picture of a gold and diamond watch which was clearly generated by AI, while the technology was also used to exaggerate damage to the back of a car.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Sometimes inventories and trade balances can exaggerate the ups and downs in GDP, but that wasn’t the case in the fourth quarter.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026

You can’t exaggerate how important television was in the making of this man, and I don’t mean “The Apprentice,” I mean those old movies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

But the fisherman stares at these men’s city suits, their clean hands, and their mouths, which exaggerate incomprehensible syllables.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver