hyperbole

hy·per·bo·le

noun \hī-ˈpər-bə-(ˌ)lē\

Definition of HYPERBOLE

: extravagant exaggeration (as “mile-high ice-cream cones”)

— hy·per·bo·list\-list\ noun

Examples of HYPERBOLE

1. <“enough food to feed a whole army” is a common example of hyperbole>

Origin of HYPERBOLE

Latin, from Greek hyperbolē excess, hyperbole, hyperbola, from hyperballein to exceed, from hyper- + ballein to throw — more at devil

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to HYPERBOLE

Synonyms: caricature, coloring, elaboration, embellishment, embroidering, embroidery, exaggeration, magnification, overstatement, padding, stretching

Antonyms: meiosis, understatement

Related Words: amplification, enhancement; fabrication, misrepresentation; fudging, hedging; hype, puffery; superlative

Near Antonyms: belittlement, disparagement, minimizing, poor-mouthing

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Rhymes with HYPERBOLE

nonverbally

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