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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in inflated
extended beyond normal or realistic bounds
loves the exaggerated emotions that are part and parcel of grand opera
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Flopping and exaggerating contact is different.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Beth Kowitt, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
But five races into the 2026 season, those predictions no longer look exaggerated.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
There are also credible questions over whether Mills exaggerated his military record during his first campaign.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Verb
The league decided to introduce postgame flop fines in the 2012-13 season where plays were reviewed after games and those individuals were fined for exaggerating contact.
—Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Flopping and exaggerating contact is different.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Adjective
Reports of the death of DEI in corporate America have been greatly exaggerated.
—Beth Kowitt, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
But five races into the 2026 season, those predictions no longer look exaggerated.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Verb
The team, according to records shared with Semafor by Moore’s office, is digging into whether Moore had exaggerated his military record, as well as his high school and collegiate basketball tenure.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
There are also credible questions over whether Mills exaggerated his military record during his first campaign.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerate
Verb
-
Hospitals across the state are committed to enhancing outcomes for new and expectant mothers.—
Mary C. Mayhew,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
-
Huang said Dallas is also enhancing its mosquito surveillance by monitoring not only for West Nile virus, which is endemic in the region, but also diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Other men have adopted a more defensive posture, claiming to overstate their height only because everyone else is doing it.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
-
The crime threat is also often overstated, particularly as Baltimore’s historic reduction in violent crime continues.—
Peter Jensen,
Baltimore Sun,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Beyond-high ticket prices have drawn protests, along with inflated mass-transportation costs in host cities.—
Greg Cote
June 4,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Unlike Benitez, who arrived at Anfield with inflated confidence having won two La Liga titles in three seasons at Valencia, along with the UEFA Cup, Iraola’s track record is one of a developer at each of his previous clubs rather than a deliverer of trophies.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The open-toe style had a rounded black footbed, padded upper and a thick rubber sole with deep grooves along the bottom edge.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
-
The singer’s hips were padded, her hands were gloved and her face artfully shaded by a giant hat designed by Stephen Jones millinery that was lined with golf leaf.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Indie producers and distributors say its influence cannot be overstated.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
30 May 2026
-
Many must multi-app, though this practice is greatly overstated by the platforms themselves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The open-toe style had a rounded black footbed, padded upper and a thick rubber sole with deep grooves along the bottom edge.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
-
The singer’s hips were padded, her hands were gloved and her face artfully shaded by a giant hat designed by Stephen Jones millinery that was lined with golf leaf.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
While a thin layer can help support the skin barrier, overdoing thick zinc creams daily may feel too heavy for skin types and ironically, could clog pores in oily skin.—
Tatiana Dias,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
-
With such a wide range of bold options, what’s the key to embracing maximalism without overdoing it?—
Lauren Fisher,
Footwear News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Now iconic green, the statue was copper-colored for around 30 years until the metal had oxidized.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
-
Fruit that is misshapen and deeply creviced is safe to eat if the flesh is firm, appropriately colored, and fresh—simply cut away the scarred tissue.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerate. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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