1
as in enhances
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 overstates
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 exaggerates
The case drew widespread attention because Dee Dee was suspected of having Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a form of abuse in which a caregiver exaggerates, fabricates or induces illness in someone under their care.
—
Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Dehydration exaggerates creases and makes skin look less supple.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Dehydration exaggerates creases and gives skin a texture that emphasizes lines.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
This percentage is credible for new sales, but the talking point exaggerates the overall share of housing in investors’ hands and who owns them.
—Chris Doody, Houston Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2026
The same prime minister who exaggerates his power is also fine with being portrayed as the patsy of more influential actors.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
Tainy’s Prometheus — is portrayed by Feid, dressed in an oversized leather coat and lit in a manner that exaggerates his grills in an eerie way.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Whether or not The Bitch of Buchenwald did what is reenacted on the show isn’t relevant, because her activities are placed in the context of a comic book that exaggerates history to make a point — just like Monster does.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
Some critics have said that Costa exaggerates Malafaia’s influence.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Dehydration exaggerates creases and makes skin look less supple.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Dehydration exaggerates creases and gives skin a texture that emphasizes lines.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
This percentage is credible for new sales, but the talking point exaggerates the overall share of housing in investors’ hands and who owns them.
—Chris Doody, Houston Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2026
The same prime minister who exaggerates his power is also fine with being portrayed as the patsy of more influential actors.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
Tainy’s Prometheus — is portrayed by Feid, dressed in an oversized leather coat and lit in a manner that exaggerates his grills in an eerie way.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Whether or not The Bitch of Buchenwald did what is reenacted on the show isn’t relevant, because her activities are placed in the context of a comic book that exaggerates history to make a point — just like Monster does.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
Some critics have said that Costa exaggerates Malafaia’s influence.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerates
Verb
-
But those thread-like mushroom filaments also bind soils together, which enhances soil structure, drainage, and moisture retention.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
16 June 2026
-
Grilling the watermelon enhances its natural sweetness and adds a touch of smoky flavor.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
That overstates his closeness to the Russian president.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
-
His reading dramatically overstates what the court actually did.—
Kris Fair,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In her latest offering, the 32-year-old pivots from the darker sound of her debut, moving toward a meditative approach (in the very literal sense) to the music that colors life in the Caribbean.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Sunlight colors the water behind her, brightening a few strands of her hair.—
Thomas Lake,
AJC.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Alexander’s staging occasionally overdoes the comic exuberance.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
But Maura never overdoes the feisty granny bit.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The gas in your stomach expands as the pressure drops, leaving you bloated.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
Broader sonobuoy push The Scottish trial arrives as Ultra Maritime expands its sonobuoy business through production contracts and international partnerships.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Adding the killer’s voice just pads an already too-long book.—
Maren Longbella,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Not to say there aren’t some clunkers, most notably a jokey take-me-out-to-the-ballgame baseball number that pads the second act, but the Flaherty-Ahrens score was and is Ragtime‘s signature achievement.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
It’s also been cited as what’s wrong with basketball, as he’s been labeled a player who embellishes contact, resulting in opportunities at the free-throw line.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
-
The work embellishes the landscape with a new pond set in a faux archaeological site, out of which rise a series of clear columns housing soil ecosystems extracted from the grounds.—
Tina Rivers Ryan,
Artforum,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The patriarch’s younger son, Abhay, thirty-nine, and his family live on the top floor in a spacious, breezy apartment that commands a fine view of Dhakuria Lake, which stretches away into the distance, flanking Southern Avenue.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
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Your optimistic nature thrives on movement, so choose an inspiring route and ask bigger questions while wonder stretches your thinking.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerates. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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