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.

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

They include a picture of a gold and diamond watch which was clearly generated by AI, while the technology was also used to exaggerate damage to the back of a car.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Fast-growing options markets exaggerate the price moves in both directions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The U.S. trade deficit and the production of inventories —or unsold goods — are also wild cards that could exaggerate ups and downs in fourth-quarter GDP.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026

At the same time, though, we must be careful not to assume that differences exist when they do not, or to exaggerate the ones that do.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Vocabulary lists containing exaggerate

Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items

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