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
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Recent Examples of exaggerates
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
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
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Her go-to is the Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, a $35 at-home hair color box that conceals 100 percent of stubborn grays and enhances shine.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
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The denim industry has found an appreciation for linen and how the fiber enhances and refines what is traditionally considered to be a tough and rugged fabric.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The finale overstates its hand but still packs an emotional punch.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
26 Nov. 2025
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Room for Disagreement Mantashe’s argument may be based on an assessment that overstates the continent’s mineral wealth.—
Sam Mkokeli,
semafor.com,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
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General Daily Insight for January 04, 2026 Warm confidence colors our choices and conversations.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
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That just colors everything so differently.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But Maura never overdoes the feisty granny bit.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This foldable tote bag packs flat, expands instantly, and can carry souvenirs, beach gear, or laundry.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
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That's how the music conveys that, expands it.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Adding the killer’s voice just pads an already too-long book.—
Maren Longbella,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
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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
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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
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Russia, which stretches over half of the Arctic Ocean coastline, currently controls a majority of the region.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
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Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado established a similar team in her 14th District, which stretches from downtown to Northeast Los Angeles.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerates. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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