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

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

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

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

But the technology can also make basic factual mistakes in reviews, expose sensitive information, exaggerate praise or criticism, or come off as generic and impersonal, undermining the boss’s relationship with the employee.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

It was indeed in the Spanish interest to exaggerate the extent of human sacrifice, because ending what Cortes called this “most horrid and abominable custom” became a post hoc rationale for conquest.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Vocabulary lists containing exaggerate

Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items

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