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.

It is difficult to overstate the void Bale left.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

The significance of this climbdown is hard to overstate.

From Slate • Mar. 24, 2026

The importance of self-driving technology to Tesla stock is hard to overstate.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

It’s hard to overstate the importance of the Court’s decision for the law and the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Yet it would be nearly impossible to overstate Lyell’s influence.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson