hyperbolic

1 of 2

adjective (1)

hy·​per·​bol·​ic ˌhī-pər-ˈbä-lik How to pronounce hyperbolic (audio)
variants or less commonly hyperbolical
ˌhī-pər-ˈbä-li-kəl How to pronounce hyperbolic (audio)
: of, relating to, or marked by language that exaggerates or overstates the truth : of, relating to, or marked by hyperbole
hyperbolic claims
hyperbolically
ˌhī-pər-ˈbä-li-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce hyperbolic (audio)
adverb

hyperbolic

2 of 2

adjective (2)

1
geometry : of, relating to, or being like a curve that is formed by the intersection of a double right circular cone with a plane that cuts both halves of the cone : of, relating to, or being analogous to a hyperbola
2
: of, relating to, or being a space in which more than one line parallel to a given line passes through a point
hyperbolic geometry

Examples of hyperbolic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Yet rather than focusing on seemingly hyperbolic specs, the Hennessey team had a different mandate with the Blackbird. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026 This is so many different kinds of humor piled together, from callback to callout to laugh-at-him-not-with-him arrogant mistake to conscious, hyperbolic comic echoing to edgy provocation. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 2026 Babcock’s verbal about Komarev never reached those hyperbolic heights, but his deployment of the player raised eyebrows in Toronto. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 20 July 2026 So, while certain claims about the recent test appear to be hyperbolic, this is genuinely an impressive technical achievement for the team behind it. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hyperbolic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

see hyperbole

Adjective (2)

see hyperbole

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hyperbolic was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing hyperbolic

Rhymes for hyperbolic

See All Rhymes for hyperbolic

Browse Nearby Words

hyperbole
hyperbolic
hyperbolic cosecant
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Cite this Entry

“Hyperbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyperbolic. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hyperbolic

Nglish: Translation of hyperbolic for Spanish Speakers

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