exaggerate

verb

ex·​ag·​ger·​ate ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrāt 

exaggerated; exaggerating

transitive verb

1

: to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth : overstate

A friend exaggerates a man's virtues …

—Joseph Addison

2

: to enlarge or increase especially beyond the normal : overemphasize

intransitive verb

: to make an overstatement

exaggerative

ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrā-tiv 

-ˈzaj-rə-tiv, 

-ˈza-jə-rə-tiv

adjective

exaggerator

ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrā-tər 

noun

exaggeratory

ig-ˈzaj-rə-ˌtȯr-ē 

-ˈza-jə-

adjective

Synonyms of exaggerate

• enhance
• pad
• hyperbolize
• color
• embellish
• expand
• magnify
• embroider
• stretch
• elaborate (on)
• emphasize

Examples of exaggerate in a Sentence

The book exaggerates the difficulties he faced in starting his career.

It's impossible to exaggerate the importance of this discovery.

He tends to exaggerate when talking about his accomplishments.

He exaggerated his movements so we could see them more clearly.

Recent Examples on the Web

But on cross-examination, Richards said Colt had exaggerated his mental health symptoms and made things up to try to get a more serious diagnosis. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 July 2026

This effect was exaggerated when rising talents with fervent new fanbases, like Alex Eala of the Philippines and João Fonseca of Brazil, took the courts. — James Hansen, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Armour points to two recent plays, one involving Chelsea Gray and another involving Kiah Stokes, as proof that Clark exaggerates contact and creates false narratives about opposing players. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

Novo Nordisk sued Eli Lilly on Tuesday, accusing the company of using outdated studies in its advertisements that exaggerate the efficacy of Lilly’s products. — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin exaggerātus, past participle of exaggerāre "to heap up, construct by piling up, increase in significance," from ex- ex- entry 1 + aggerāre "to heap up over, form into a heap," verbal derivative of agger "rubble, earthwork, rampart, dam," noun derivative of aggerere "to bring, carry (to or up), push close up (against)," from ag- ag- + gerere "to carry, bring" — more at jest entry 1

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for exaggerate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

exaggerate

verb

ex·​ag·​ger·​ate ig-ˈzaj-ə-ˌrāt 

exaggerated; exaggerating

: to enlarge a fact or statement beyond what is actual or true

exaggeratedly

-ˌrāt-əd-lē

adverb

exaggeratedness

-nəs

noun

exaggeration

-ˌzaj-ə-ˈrā-shən 

noun

exaggerator

-ˈzaj-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

noun

Etymology

from Latin exaggeratus "exaggerate," from exaggerare, literally, "to heap up"