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
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Relevance
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in inflated
extended beyond normal or realistic bounds
loves the exaggerated emotions that are part and parcel of grand opera
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in padded
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overstated
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
Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
Machado also pushed back on suggestions that Venezuela’s role in drug trafficking had been exaggerated to support the argument of those calling for regime change.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
David Smilde, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Judge Immergut concluded that the attempt to send troops into Portland stemmed from exaggerated claims of violence in the city, where isolated protests were already contained by federal and local law enforcement.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Maduro insisted in his letter that Venezuela’s role in regional drug trafficking has been exaggerated and politically manipulated.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Verb
Blumenthal apologized for exaggerating his military record in 2010 after an investigation by the New York Times.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
Machado also pushed back on suggestions that Venezuela’s role in drug trafficking had been exaggerated to support the argument of those calling for regime change.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Later research suggested that that threat had been greatly exaggerated.
—David Smilde, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Judge Immergut concluded that the attempt to send troops into Portland stemmed from exaggerated claims of violence in the city, where isolated protests were already contained by federal and local law enforcement.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
People have often tried to predict the end of the world, and while rumors of its imminent demise have been exaggerated, the viral video by Mhlakela and mixed social media reaction to it show the intrigue that the belief retains.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Maduro insisted in his letter that Venezuela’s role in regional drug trafficking has been exaggerated and politically manipulated.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerate
inflated
Adjective
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Firms that had stayed disciplined during the post-pandemic liquidity rush — holding back from inflated valuations and cheap leverage — are the ones outperforming, according to Bae.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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Stocks fell Tuesday after Wall Street sounded the alarm about a market selloff amid growing concerns over inflated tech valuations.—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerate. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.
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