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 hard to overstate the country’s dominance in this arena.

From Salon • May 31, 2026

Verhoeven's dominance in kickboxing is difficult to overstate.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

It’s hard to overstate how carefully the lower court considered this question of whether Texas in fact unconstitutionally used race in its mapmaking.

From Slate • Apr. 29, 2026

Private-equity valuations have always been somewhat imprecise, and firms have long had incentives to overstate the value of their holdings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

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

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

Vocabulary lists containing overstate

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“Mandatory Vaccination is Not the Answer to Measles” by Bob Sears

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Bunnicula

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