exaggerated

adjective

ex·​ag·​ger·​at·​ed ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrā-təd 

1

: excessively or inappropriately heightened, inflated, or overstated

exaggerated fears

a wildly exaggerated story

As students go from one disconnected course to the next, they tend to form a highly exaggerated idea of the differences between teachers and subjects.

—Gerald Graff

2

: enlarged or increased beyond the normal : greater than normal

… many people have an unusual or exaggerated response to a drug, but they are not necessarily allergic to the drug.

—Paul D. Buisseret

exaggeratedly adverb

… my own view of the art of architecture—a view that many people (including many architects) would perhaps consider an exaggeratedly lofty one.

—Brendan Gill

Koenig's movements were brisk, exaggeratedly optimistic.

—Nick Paumgarten

exaggeratedness noun

… we often do not respond to exaggeration by simply pointing out its exaggeratedness …

—Julie Kuhlken

Synonyms

• bloated
• hyperbolized
• inflated
• outsize
• outsized
• overblown
• overdrawn
• overweening

Examples of exaggerated in a Sentence

loves the exaggerated emotions that are part and parcel of grand opera

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a vixen-ness about her that is exaggerated. —Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024

Long before the green stuff gained mainstream acceptance, Nelson made the case that its dangers were greatly exaggerated and its benefits were scarcely mentioned. —Lars Brandle, Billboard, 16 May 2024

Much to the chagrin of many in Washington, reports of the death of the Tea Party have been greatly exaggerated. —Akash Chougule, National Review, 16 May 2024

Twenty years later, a WHI follow-up reveals that for women under 60, those risks were greatly exaggerated. —Mary McNamara, The Mercury News, 15 May 2024

The cap-and-trade spending is definitely a big deal, even as some experts say the numbers are likely a bit exaggerated. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024

At one point during a demo, an OpenAI employee breathed in a heavy, exaggerated pant. —Kevin Roose, New York Times, 14 May 2024

The former president has invoked Lecter while echoing his highly exaggerated claims that prisoners and mental patients are pouring across the U.S. border. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 13 May 2024

The news of hip hop's death have been greatly exaggerated before, but this beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has certainly taken its toll. —Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 9 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of exaggerate

First Known Use

circa 1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1