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
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 exaggerates
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
The fact that the company exaggerates the job numbers, as well as the true number of states where the plane produces a significant number of jobs does not alter the fact that economic arguments carry a lot of weight in Congressional decisions on weapons procurement.
—William Hartung, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Mandel criticized the media for accepting Hamas’s claims at face value, which exaggerates the crisis and undermines non-Hamas aid efforts.
—Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2025
Ari Ben Menashe, a onetime Israeli operative whom Israeli and American officials have said is a fabulist who vastly exaggerates and fabricates, claims to have run Epstein as an asset.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2025
Along the back seam, a row of curved metal spikes juts outward, giving the boot a clawed finish that exaggerates its shape with predatory edge.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
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
The fact that the company exaggerates the job numbers, as well as the true number of states where the plane produces a significant number of jobs does not alter the fact that economic arguments carry a lot of weight in Congressional decisions on weapons procurement.
—William Hartung, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Mandel criticized the media for accepting Hamas’s claims at face value, which exaggerates the crisis and undermines non-Hamas aid efforts.
—Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2025
Ari Ben Menashe, a onetime Israeli operative whom Israeli and American officials have said is a fabulist who vastly exaggerates and fabricates, claims to have run Epstein as an asset.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2025
Along the back seam, a row of curved metal spikes juts outward, giving the boot a clawed finish that exaggerates its shape with predatory edge.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerates
Verb
-
Tony Galaska’s moody lighting design enhances the warmth of the story.—
Mary Damiano,
Miami Herald,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Thermal and pressure bonding of a capping layer The research team showed that thermal and pressure bonding of a capping layer to a perovskite surface suppresses defect initiation from iodide loss and enhances long-term stability.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That production likely overstates the free-swinging Lugo’s upside, but the 21-year-old has more raw power than his slight frame would suggest, along with above-average speed and experience playing six different positions in the minors.—
Aaron Gleeman,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The finale overstates its hand but still packs an emotional punch.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This shines a bright light on perspective and bias that inherently colors speech.—
Sheldon Jacobson,
Twin Cities,
30 Jan. 2026
-
General Daily Insight for January 04, 2026 Warm confidence colors our choices and conversations.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 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
-
Meanwhile, Kaiser Permanente workers are demanding protections against AI as the health system expands use of the technology.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The bill expands those protections.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 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
-
And although this recipe embellishes the gourd with sautéed mushrooms, the roasted squash is also delectable all by itself.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Organizers said 27 brands are represented at the show, which has a legacy that stretches back to 1902.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The reach of the gym on Metropolitan Parkway, about halfway between the airport and downtown Atlanta, stretches far beyond its neighborhood.—
Ryan Dennis,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerates. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
