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
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Recent Examples of exaggerate
Whether or not The Bitch of Buchenwald did what is reenacted on the show isn’t relevant, because her activities are placed in the context of a comic book that exaggerates history to make a point — just like Monster does.
—
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
Under these conditions, Democrats and Republicans tend to exaggerate the characteristics of the other party based on common stereotypes.
—Ron Barrett, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Giménez was exaggerating, but not by much.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Our foul, flatulent father-figure may exaggerate a bit when belittling his enemies (and friends, for that matter), but cloaked under his aura of filth — like an adult Pig-Pen’s toxic dust cloud — rests a core truth.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
Under these conditions, Democrats and Republicans tend to exaggerate the characteristics of the other party based on common stereotypes.
—Ron Barrett, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Giménez was exaggerating, but not by much.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Our foul, flatulent father-figure may exaggerate a bit when belittling his enemies (and friends, for that matter), but cloaked under his aura of filth — like an adult Pig-Pen’s toxic dust cloud — rests a core truth.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerate
Verb
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Winning so frequently while ranking second on the Betrayal Index enhances Mayfield's MVP credentials.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The Featherweight StyleMax Hair Dryer is one of the best hair dryers for curly hair due to its diffuser, comb, and concentrator attachments that enhance types 2A to 4C hair, as well as its accommodating selection of heat and airflow settings.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some argue that the centrality of conflict and aggression in human evolutionary history is overstated and even misconstrued.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
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Colin Murphy, co-director of UC Davis’ Energy Futures Research Program at the Institute of Transportation Studies, said that may be overstated.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And New England’s hot combo of QB Drake Maye and WR Stefon Diggs will pad their stats against New Orleans.—
Kevin Cusick,
Twin Cities,
12 Oct. 2025
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His interviews with players pad their NIL earnings.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To substitute sour cream for buttermilk, simply thin the sour cream to a thick but pourable consistency using milk or water (don't overdo it).—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
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After Mauricio missed all of 2024 and had a slow return-to-play schedule this year, there is a balance between getting enough action versus overdoing it.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Yet the internet — the same force that has increased awareness of social-justice movements — has hyperbolized all entreaties to our fragmented attention spans.—
Lauren Oyler,
New York Times,
8 May 2018
Verb
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More are expected to follow as the shutdown stretches into its second week, with no clear end in sight.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
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Bassitt, Schneider said, is stretched out enough to pitch in short bursts or log four to five innings.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, celebrations were relatively muted and often colored by grief.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
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These lines of research are part of a growing body of evidence that treats coloring as an accessible and low-cost way to invite focused attention and emotional steadiness.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If the account is overdrawn for a day or so, the brain can adjust quickly.—
Andrew Mawson,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The dormant account fee is equivalent to the account balance or $10, whichever is less, but the fee will not overdraw your account.—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerate. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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