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 of exaggerated

• inflated

Examples of exaggerated in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Willmett and Harris are clearly uninterested in euphemisms, so there’s an exaggerated naivety to their lyrics. —Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026

National and international media immediately pounced on the story, with exaggerated reports that the mass shooting occurred perilously close to the 2026 FIFA World Cup practice fields at Swope Soccer Village for the team from England. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026

A bit later, while presenting the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Megan wore a halter-neck sheer gown with a silver pattern and 3D details on the hips that gave her an exaggerated silhouette. —Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026

However, experts have contended that claims of widespread voter fraud are deeply exaggerated. —Terry Collins, USA Today, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of exaggerate

First Known Use

circa 1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exaggerated

• abbreviated
• accelerated
• accentuated
• accommodated
• acculturated
• accumulated
• acidulated
• adjudicated
• administrated
• adulterated
• affiliated
• agglomerated