as in exaggeration
the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts
a claim to worldwide fame is a bit of an overstatement on the part of that nightclub
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Recent Examples of overstatement
That sort of flamboyant overstatement became central to Turner’s personal brand—and made for irresistible copy in the dailies.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 May 2026
In clinical trials, acronyms can also invite overstatement.
—Clarissa Brincat, Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
That is probably an overstatement.
—Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
The SaaSpocalypse may be an overstatement.
—Michael Jacobides, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
That appears to be an overstatement.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
That might sound like an overstatement of Murray’s abilities.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
Rather than feeling stuck between silence and overstatement, the most effective leaders are taking a more intentional approach.
—Teresa Hopke, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
With job growth averaging just shy of 40,000 in that period, an overstatement that size would equate to payroll losses of about 20,000 per month.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 May 2026
In clinical trials, acronyms can also invite overstatement.
—Clarissa Brincat, Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
That is probably an overstatement.
—Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
The SaaSpocalypse may be an overstatement.
—Michael Jacobides, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
That appears to be an overstatement.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
That might sound like an overstatement of Murray’s abilities.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
Rather than feeling stuck between silence and overstatement, the most effective leaders are taking a more intentional approach.
—Teresa Hopke, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
With job growth averaging just shy of 40,000 in that period, an overstatement that size would equate to payroll losses of about 20,000 per month.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overstatement
Noun
-
Height exaggeration is one of the oldest and most well-documented forms of self-inflation.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
-
There are a number of driving forces behind this excited exaggeration.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The millennial heir If Rob and Michele embody the boomer storyline—build, accumulate, protect—Nick’s life has traced the darkest version of the millennial caricature.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
-
Oftentimes Black artists are seen as caricatures or one-dimensional.—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Saying Shohei Ohtani may be the best athlete in modern history is not just hyperbole.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2026
-
Given the dramatic manner in which the hulking piers marched down the center of the institution’s narrow corridor, flanked by the photographer’s three-inch-square Polaroids, hung as if in awed supplication, the effect verged on hyperbole, the gnomic ceding to the grandiose.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overstatement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overstatement. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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