1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of exaggerating
The show, in exaggerating adolescence—in remaking that consequential phase as a fantasy and a melodrama—also managed to honor it.
—
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Companies are exaggerating their AI capabilities to raise their value and, in turn, creating a host of problems for executives and employees alike.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026
Allegations that are now spreading online could be misinterpreting records or exaggerating minor issues — or could be exposing actual fraudulent activity.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026
Studies have found that companies tend to buy cheap, low-quality carbon credits, which run a risk of exaggerating their carbon reduction claims or providing results that would have happened anyway, leaving no real climate benefit.
—Brian P. McCullough, The Conversation, 10 Dec. 2025
Democratic officials have pushed back, arguing that the president is exaggerating the need to combat crime in the city for political gain.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 22 Nov. 2025
Of course, Solomonik is far from the first person to explore the inherent absurdity of trans life by exaggerating that absurdity, but so rarely is the transmasc psyche in all of its neuroses explored in such a way.
—Ana Osorno, Them., 21 Nov. 2025
Born Hillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas in Boston, Massachusetts, the former yoga teacher was accused of exaggerating her Spanish heritage after details of her past were uncovered on social media in 2020.
—Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2025
In the series, Gacy enjoyed talking about many of his accomplishments and exaggerating some of his stories.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Companies are exaggerating their AI capabilities to raise their value and, in turn, creating a host of problems for executives and employees alike.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026
Allegations that are now spreading online could be misinterpreting records or exaggerating minor issues — or could be exposing actual fraudulent activity.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026
Studies have found that companies tend to buy cheap, low-quality carbon credits, which run a risk of exaggerating their carbon reduction claims or providing results that would have happened anyway, leaving no real climate benefit.
—Brian P. McCullough, The Conversation, 10 Dec. 2025
Democratic officials have pushed back, arguing that the president is exaggerating the need to combat crime in the city for political gain.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 22 Nov. 2025
Of course, Solomonik is far from the first person to explore the inherent absurdity of trans life by exaggerating that absurdity, but so rarely is the transmasc psyche in all of its neuroses explored in such a way.
—Ana Osorno, Them., 21 Nov. 2025
Born Hillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas in Boston, Massachusetts, the former yoga teacher was accused of exaggerating her Spanish heritage after details of her past were uncovered on social media in 2020.
—Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2025
In the series, Gacy enjoyed talking about many of his accomplishments and exaggerating some of his stories.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerating
Verb
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Netflix’s The Waterfront also centers around a small-town family running a failing fishing business and padding their pockets by helping cartels smuggle drugs using their fishing boats.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Charlotte didn’t let up and resumed padding its lead.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Some scientists, though, warn that overstating the dangers of sport could put children off it, and that participation’s health benefits outweigh the risks.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Win-win might be overstating the outcome.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The final stage is coloring everything.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
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Add the onion and saute until soft without coloring, 2 to 3 minutes.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This week’s roundup breaks down what to know about vitamin D dosing, simple ways to support heart health, and better sleep without overdoing it.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
9 Feb. 2026
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Rooms are furnished comfortably in the expected Southwestern decor, but avoid overdoing it thanks to restrained, contemporary hands.—
Asonta Benetti,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As a bonus, the exercise itself will in turn generate good feelings by increasing levels of dopamine and serotonin, two mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, that will reinforce the behavior.—
Leying Tang,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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The award honors a Magic player who has dedicated his efforts off the court for the purpose of enhancing other’s lives.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Scores of providers sprang up along a corridor stretching west from the San Gabriel Valley through the San Fernando Valley, which now has the highest concentration of hospices in the nation.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Republicans argue the region’s frustrations reflect years of structural failures under Cooper’s disaster management system, stretching back to earlier storms.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Future versions are projected to extend driving range to around 310–372 miles (500–600 kilometers), expanding suitability beyond short-range applications.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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Bill Gates named in Epstein files Documents released from the Epstein files indicate that Gates and Epstein met repeatedly after Epstein's prison term to discuss expanding the Microsoft founder's philanthropic efforts.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Like the pharaohs and emperors of antiquity, the president weaponizes the past to justify his present actions and future plans, omitting and embellishing events of yesteryear to fit a bellicose agenda.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Like Frey, Lowell was a self-dramatizing fraudster, taking elements of her real life and grandly embellishing them.—
Michael Waters,
New Yorker,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerating. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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