OVERSTATING Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

overstating

verb

present participle of overstate

as in exaggerating

to describe or express in too strong terms it appears you've somewhat overstated your computer skills, if you can't find the "on" button!

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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 overstating Leaders should avoid overstating future opportunities, underestimating risks or withholding information that could later create friction. — Amit Jain, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Some political analysts have warned against overstating an ideological divide between Wiener and Chan. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026 Concrete proof But HHS seems to be wildly overstating the magnitude of the issue. — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 These advocates accuse law enforcement and politicians of overstating the human trafficking problem on Figueroa in order to justify more police actions and the passage of harsher laws. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 This is not overstating a point for dramatic effect. — Nick Pietruszkiewicz, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026 That may have been overstating things, but not by very much. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2026 Last year, she was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for defrauding the bank by overstating the number of customers Frank had. — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 14 June 2026 The third victim, described by prosecutors as an associate of the gang, was accused of overstating his status within MS-13. — Sydney Barragan, Daily News, 6 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overstating

exaggerating

Verb

Washington has a history of exaggerating the competitive threat from rivals, whether that was the Soviet Union or Japan.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of exaggerating

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overstates

overstating

overstay

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“Overstating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overstating. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of overstating

verb

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