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.

Verhoeven's dominance in kickboxing is difficult to overstate.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

However some experts have also called on health authorities not to overstate what is known about hantavirus while trying to tamp down pandemic fears.

From Barron's • May 13, 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

“How about gorgon's blood? Can you cure that, or did Bob overstate your talents?”

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Vocabulary lists containing overstate

"Ad Power," "Without Commercials," and "What's Wrong with Advertising"

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

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Bunnicula

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