EXAGGERATING Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

exaggerating

verb

present participle of exaggerate

as in padding

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in overstating

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 exaggerating Bosco’s attorneys argue Shaw was exaggerating the situation. —

Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026 One expert, however, testified for prosecutors that the defendant was malingering, or exaggerating his psychiatric issues and was not legally insane at the time. —

City News Service, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026 The deadpan one-liners exaggerating his strength, speed and toughness to absurd levels, turned Norris into one of the internet’s first global memes. —

Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026 And nobody in that moment was performing or exaggerating. —

Daniela Tijerina, Vanity Fair, 20 Mar. 2026 Sokolov also wields a much shorter lens, warping and exaggerating space with each swinging motion, while his cast moves in almost dance-like fashion. —

Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026 Christopher Carnahan, a Los Angeles police officer who was accused of skydiving and working out while also collecting disability benefits by exaggerating an on-duty work injury, was charged with two counts of felony insurance fraud, prosecutors said. —

Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026 Historically, some doctors have dismissed these differences as women exaggerating their pain or being unable to tolerate the same discomfort as men. —

Aria Bendix, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026 He was accused of exaggerating his actions following King’s assassination and making anti-Semitic remarks. —

John Blake, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerating

Verb

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea in a bid to lower oil prices – which might mean padding the war chest of a US enemy.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Egyptian immigrants Azzam and Samra Ahmed are padding their savings by performing for bots in their one-bedroom apartment in Pasadena.

— NILESH CHRISTOPHER LOS ANGELES TIMES, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026