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.

For children and other high-risk individuals, the symptoms can feel exaggerated.

From Los Angeles Times

Reports of the 60/40 portfolio’s death are greatly exaggerated.

From MarketWatch

Divided by competing urges to “join in and stand out,” the dandy exaggerates style to the point of satire and social impertinence.

From The Wall Street Journal

A bigger long-term problem has been a tendency of the CPI to show exaggerated price increases early in a new year, followed by a slowdown in the spring.

From MarketWatch

Brooks points out that one way high-tech promoters finesse their exaggerated promises is through subtle redefinition.

From Los Angeles Times

exaggerate

Example Sentences

Related Words