exaggerate 1 of 3

Definition of exaggeratenext
1
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

exaggerated

2 of 3

adjective

exaggerated

3 of 3

verb (2)

past tense of exaggerate

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
Verb
Drama hides a hero’s flaws; comedy exaggerates it. Marta Balaga, Variety, 25 June 2026 The four-time Olympian was not exaggerating. Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Adjective
These were exaggerated characters. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 Following Friends, the Massachusetts native has had a successful career on the small screen, earning a 2012 Golden Globe for his role as an exaggerated version of himself on Showtime's comedy Episodes, which aired from 2011 to 2017. Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Verb
Goldman Sachs’ David Mericle suggests this reading has perhaps been exaggerated. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026 Hanks rejected that argument, finding the remarks were exaggerated rather than defamatory. Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerate
Verb
  • More than 30 Will County schools will receive funds to enhance security thanks to $129,777 in grants awarded by the county from the state’s cannabis sales tax revenue.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Rainy weather driving tips Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Consumer demand for sustainability and traceability has been grossly overstated.
    Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Granted, most of his reps came against players who are on the fringe of the roster, yet the performance can’t be overstated.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • The final score was almost padded three minutes later as Rahimi’s header on the break clanged down off the crossbar, but stopped just short of crossing the goal line.
    Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Some are using the passive income to pad their travel fund; others are reinvesting back into their businesses.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Taylor and Travis both love to put on a show, both love to overdo it.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
  • Have fun walking up and running down the dunes with your pup, but be mindful of the heat and elevation to avoid overdoing it.
    Rebecca R. Norris, USA Today, 29 June 2026
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
Verb
  • Autumn is when the crowds thin and your dollar stretches further.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Dozens of people sat in lawn chairs in front of the big screen, cheering as the Bosnia and Herzegovina national anthem played, while others stood in a long line that stretched out of the front door to buy cakes, pastries and pitas.
    Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • The wines produced here are amber-colored from months of skin contact, tannic in ways white wine is not supposed to be, structured like reds but made from white grapes.
    Michelle Williams, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Some parts of the film are displayed in a light shade (similar to sepia, just multi-light colored).
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, respected worldwide as a global authority on financial risk, has warned withdrawals from nature have far exceeded deposits and many of our accounts are now overdrawn, risking irreversible collapse.
    Nina Seega, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
  • Some will argue that our analogy between chatbots and social media platforms is overdrawn — that chatbots are conversational tools, not social networks.
    William J. Brady, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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