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
This can exaggerate shadows and make compact spaces feel even more enclosed. Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 14 June 2026 Replay shows the defender never made meaningful contact and the offensive player overly-exaggerated the contact (flopped). Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 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
  • This may sound like a minor detail, but cabin location can enhance the overall journey.
    Jackie DeAntonis, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026
  • In addition to its instant, complexion-enhancing tint, the formula contains skin care ingredients lauded for their smoothing, quenching properties.
    Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 25 June 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 Angels padded the advantage in the fifth inning when Jose Siri led off with a single, Zach Neto doubled and Vaughn Grissom followed with a two-run single to left.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • Private fundraising has long been seen as a way to pad school budgets in wealthier communities, usually to pay for nice-to-haves, such as field trips and student clubs.
    Mila Koumpilova, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Her direction here wisely emphasizes the actors, and possibly overdoes it with the mirrors — lotta symbolically reflective surfaces and isolating frames within frames — but there’s never the sensation that the person behind the camera is winging it.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2026
  • Happy Body Spritz bottles up that same nostalgia with its bright blend of ruby red grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot, soft florals, and woods, but in a lighter mist that’s nearly impossible to overdo.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 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
  • Work began this month on Cole Ranch in south Denton, a 4,365-home community along the booming Interstate 35W corridor that stretches to FM 1171 in Flower Mound.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026
  • Christensen suggests the state should instead focus on stripping back environmental regulations that make brush clearance and fire prevention costly, which would ensure state firefighters are not working excessive overtime and the state budget is not being stretched beyond its means.
    Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The first showed him walking hand-in-hand with his sons, and the second showed Jack crouched down in a church pew as one of his sons played with toys, surrounded by coloring books and stickers.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 22 June 2026
  • Over 150 brightly colored, lovingly detailed cars cruised down Capitol Mall on Sunday for the fourth annual Lowrider Holiday Celebration.
    HG BIGGS, Sacbee.com, 22 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 30 Jun. 2026.

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