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.

However, four former Drone to Home volunteers claimed to the BBC the charity had been exaggerating how many dogs it reunited with owners.

From BBC

She and the crew are enjoying the exaggerated story.

From BBC

But some analysts have suggested the immediate threat to jobs has been exaggerated by executives who want to appear ahead of the curve.

From BBC

Barnum’s American Museum in New York exhibited objects, creatures, and people, some real, many fake, most wildly exaggerated.

From Literature

There’s no question that AI is bringing a massive change to the software industry, but we think the magnitude of fear is exaggerated.

From Barron's