exaggerate

verb

ex·​ag·​ger·​ate ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
exaggerated; exaggerating

transitive verb

1
: to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth : overstate
a friend exaggerates a man's virtuesJoseph Addison
2
: to enlarge or increase especially beyond the normal : overemphasize

intransitive verb

: to make an overstatement
exaggerative
ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrā-tiv How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
-ˈzaj-rə-tiv
-ˈza-jə-rə-tiv
adjective
exaggerator noun
exaggeratory adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Second, the extent of the controversies has often been exaggerated: a handful of Trump supporters have stuck their heads above the parapet, the media have sniffed drama and written up stories about friction, and nothing has ultimately changed. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 27 June 2025 Opponents of burnout argue that burnout researchers exaggerate that burnout is a condition of epidemic magnitude. Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 One has been associated with a group that exaggerates the rare risks and harms of vaccines while casting doubt on their benefits. Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 25 June 2025 In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd (1966) $9 $17 now 47% off Radio host and humorist Jean Shepherd tended to exaggerate the tales of his childhood (as do most people), and the best ones are about Christmas in the heavily nostalgized mid-20th century. Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for exaggerate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of exaggerate was in 1613

Cite this Entry

“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exaggerate. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

exaggerate

verb
ex·​ag·​ger·​ate ig-ˈzaj-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
exaggerated; exaggerating
: to enlarge a fact or statement beyond what is actual or true
exaggeratedly
-ˌrāt-əd-lē
adverb
exaggeratedness
-nəs
noun
exaggeration noun
exaggerator noun
Etymology

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

More from Merriam-Webster on exaggerate

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