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exaggerate

verb

ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
Definition of exaggeratenext
1
as in to enhance
to add to the interest of by including made-up details the American colonist John Smith is believed by many historians to have exaggerated his adventures

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overstate
to describe or express in too strong terms it would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of this entrance exam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of exaggerate The brothers' lawyers have argued that the two have exaggerated their wealth as part of their public personas and should be released on bond. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026 Tesla released its Autopilot driver-assist system in 2015 (and then the Full Self-Driving Beta program in 2020), marketing the new technology with ads that exaggerated the car’s powers. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026 Fearful of another 9/11-style calamity, the Bush team exaggerated the threat posed by Hussein, triggering what would become an eight-year military quagmire. — Michael E. Neagle, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026 The defense maintained that those accounts were exaggerated or fabricated for money and notoriety, pointing to the absence of physical evidence independently placing Davis in the Cadillac that night. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerate
  1. enhance
  2. overstate
  3. pad
  4. overdo
  5. hyperbolize
  6. stretch
  7. color
  8. overdraw
Verb
  • Enduring principles can be enhanced by the essential replenishment of ideas — notions that might seem to contradict but that also sure can live in harmony.
    — Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The project is designed to improve reliability, reduce maintenance requirements, enhance worker safety, and extend the facility’s operational life.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • Although drawing a straight line from the uprising to election results would overstate the evidence, in 2017, Vi Lyles became Charlotte’s first Black woman mayor and voters elected five new City Council members — all younger than 40.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026
  • There is no reason to overstate the significance of the ratings decline.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of overstate
Verb
  • Another endearing dining feature at the property is its honesty pantry containing drinks and snacks to go and a coffee station for early risers—guests can feel free to pad about any time of day or night.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Didier Fuentes pitched a 1-2-3 seventh and 1-2-3 eighth before Drake Baldwin lined a two-run home run out to right in the top of the ninth to pad the lead.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of pad
Verb
  • Common Mistakes Deadheading can be a relaxing task, but don’t overdo it.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 15 Sep. 2026
  • If companies overdo the restrictions, people are going to find ways around them.
    — David Matalon, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of overdo
Verb
  • Gauthier was hyperbolizing, but his statement looked true Monday.
    — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The filthy talk of collusion, of course hyperbolized by Unsocial Media, again is crawling out of the swamp.
    — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2023
Definition of hyperbolize
Verb
  • Look for the version that stretches your world without requiring you to abandon everything familiar.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The opening marks a significant London milestone for Kardashian and Grede, whose Skims universe has continued to stretch far beyond the shapewear on which it was founded.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of stretch
Verb
  • Suh said both Karagach and LeCroy were very involved in the process, from silhouettes to color to materials and finishing details.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Switch to color and the resolution drops to 1,600 x 1,200 pixels across 4,096 colors, reportedly drawing on E Ink's Kaleido 3 technology.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of color
Verb
  • No fee if the transaction is $5 or less or your account is overdrawn by $20 or less.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Slightly overdraw the cupid’s bow and the center of your bottom lip — but leave the corners alone.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 29 July 2026
Definition of overdraw

Browse Nearby Words

exacts
exaggerate
exaggerated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerate. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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