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
And the singer is certainly not exaggerating: hopping onto the guests-only ferry out to Palomino Island feels like moving from paradise to heaven itself.
—
Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2025
Other Reddit users are offering their takes, with many agreeing that the woman might be exaggerating her symptoms.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 25 July 2025
Thus, the temptation to sensationalize and exaggerate reality is high.
—Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The fact is that the city was almost entirely calm throughout, scenes of violence exaggerated by close-up shots that did not pull back to see a larger, sprawling city at rest.
—Jim Newton, Mercury News, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2025
Other Reddit users are offering their takes, with many agreeing that the woman might be exaggerating her symptoms.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 25 July 2025
Thus, the temptation to sensationalize and exaggerate reality is high.
—Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The fact is that the city was almost entirely calm throughout, scenes of violence exaggerated by close-up shots that did not pull back to see a larger, sprawling city at rest.
—Jim Newton, Mercury News, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerate
Verb
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The theory is that each of these tax rates distinctly discourages the production and the seizing of initiative in the economy; therefore, cutting them enhances economic activity to an uncommon degree.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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But combining chia with other blood sugar–lowering foods, like beans or lentils, may enhance the effect.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Kondik admitted the pessimism surrounding her may be overstated, though.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Aug. 2025
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That message is represented in a visually striking way, true of the entire film, but it does get overstated a bit.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The set smooths and shapes the midsection comfortably, and the adjustable straps and padded bra provide a custom fit.—
Jené Luciani Sena
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Earlier this summer, when White House officials began speaking with Abbott about padding Republican margins in the House, the idea was that Texas would be the first state in which to pursue the strategy, but not the last.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Simple pleasures appeal to you as the moon and Venus harmonize—no need to overdo it.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
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And while some thought the league was overdoing it with all the shots of the singer during the games, Mama Kelce was excited for the new audience Swift was attracting.—
Lisa France,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 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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At its longest, the line stretched out the door and almost to the sidewalk, past three white Adirondack rocking chairs that were all in motion.—
Neal Rubin,
Freep.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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With domestic firefighting capacity stretched thin, Canada has also requested international aid.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If a piece of information about the ancient past can change or color your perception of the entire relationship, then almost no amount of time can reduce that emotional impact.—
Philip Maymin,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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While the starter was all about power and energy, the nightcap more strongly focused on vibe and pure jam-band chops, as the band colored their regular repertoire with a variety of short musical teases — briefly touching upon Pink Floyd, Miles Davis and other sources of inspiration.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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District officials are expecting even more calls this week from those with automatic bill paying, if their bank accounts get massively overdrawn.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
1 July 2013
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The spacecraft’s computer, communications system and instruments all require energy to operate, so scientists are faced with a tough choice: hand select where to save power by sacrificing particular instruments or risk overdrawing the power supply and losing the whole spacecraft.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerate. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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