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
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
Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
One has been associated with a group that exaggerates the rare risks and harms of vaccines while casting doubt on their benefits.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
New Atlas, 6 July 2025
This political response has been a bit more exaggerated by the El Savador president, who chose to maybe out of guilt or who knows what?
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Verb
Opponents of burnout argue that burnout researchers exaggerate that burnout is a condition of epidemic magnitude.
—Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
One has been associated with a group that exaggerates the rare risks and harms of vaccines while casting doubt on their benefits.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
Adjective
This type of exaggerated response, which can lead to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, is often associated with asthma.
—New Atlas, 6 July 2025
This political response has been a bit more exaggerated by the El Savador president, who chose to maybe out of guilt or who knows what?
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerate
inflated
Adjective
-
Business leaders relying on inaccurate and inflated carbon calculations may over purchase carbon offsets and be unsure where net zero actually is, and even less sure about how to get there.—
Sophia Mendelsohn,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
-
Against this backdrop of inflated expectations and deflating results, a more nuanced understanding has emerged from those like LeCun, who've spent decades wrestling with the actual mechanics of intelligent systems.—
Gabriel Snyder,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerate. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share