exaggerate

verb

ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
Definition of exaggeratenext
1
as in to enhance
to add to the interest of by including made-up details the American colonist John Smith is believed by many historians to have exaggerated his adventures

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overstate
to describe or express in too strong terms it would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of this entrance exam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of exaggerate Kennedy has also sought to personally reform the agency’s vaccine policy, firing all 17 of its vaccine advisers and replacing them with his own picks, many of whom have questioned the benefit of vaccines while exaggerating their harms. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 Ng argued that powerful companies have exaggerated those threats to restrict open models and limit competition. — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 This year’s Tour de France Femmes has been rocked by allegations that some riders are artificially exaggerating their bust size to gain an aerodynamic advantage. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 4 Aug. 2026 The president exaggerated the nation’s manufacturing rebound under his watch and, once more, mocked the affordability crisis that polls suggest is top of mind for many voters. — Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerate
  1. enhance
  2. overstate
  3. pad
  4. overdo
  5. hyperbolize
  6. stretch
  7. color
  8. overdraw
Verb
  • At West Ham, Fernandes enhanced his reputation as a player who can not only drive his team forward but also play a key role out of possession, defending on the front foot.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Vuong’s photographs are displayed rather conventionally on the gallery walls, but the viewing experience is enhanced by images of his that have been printed on cloth banners that hang in the center of the space.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • Garry South, a veteran California Democratic strategist, said the electoral impact of gubernatorial debates is nevertheless often overstated.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But its capabilities should not be overstated, especially in industries where the work is nuanced, highly regulated and tied to real-world risk.
    — John F. McQuillan, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of overstate
Verb
  • Dreamy interludes pad the space between tracks with humming synths and strings; sometimes songs dissolve into floating mood pieces, anchored by a drone or loop.
    — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
  • She was then treated and cleared for travel, and her sling was padded with foam to keep her from flailing her tail.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of pad
Verb
  • Be careful not to overdo it; once scooped, the frozen watermelon will melt faster.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2026
  • While the Rays are being careful not to overdo expectations for their highest draft pick in 18 years, Emerson is not shy at all about his goals.
    — John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026
Definition of overdo
Verb
  • Gauthier was hyperbolizing, but his statement looked true Monday.
    — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The filthy talk of collusion, of course hyperbolized by Unsocial Media, again is crawling out of the swamp.
    — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2023
Definition of hyperbolize
Verb
  • There is sound business in stretching a recognisable design language rather than continually starting again.
    — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In the video, pools of thick, black oil can be seen stretching along the beach, on Qeshm’s southeast coast.
    — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of stretch
Verb
  • That is going to be coloring the entire viewing experience of this movie for people who know it.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
  • As for the other colors, the chance of finding a red lobster is 1 in 10 million, split-colored is 1 in 50 million, and albino is and cotton candy are 1 in 100 million.
    — Sara Hashemi, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of color
Verb
  • No fee if the transaction is $5 or less or your account is overdrawn by $20 or less.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Slightly overdraw the cupid’s bow and the center of your bottom lip — but leave the corners alone.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 29 July 2026
Definition of overdraw

Browse Nearby Words

exacts
exaggerate
exaggerated
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Cite this Entry

“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerate. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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