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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exaggerating
Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whose term featured record numbers of disappearances and homicides, complained that political adversaries were exaggerating the problem to smear his reputation and legacy.
—
Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Analysts note that the Russia Defense ministry has a habit of exaggerating advances when the frontlines are scarcely changing.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
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
Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Analysts note that the Russia Defense ministry has a habit of exaggerating advances when the frontlines are scarcely changing.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerating
Verb
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Two silhouettes caught on grainy security cameras, padding through a massive, empty aqua park lit only by whatever ambient light existed.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2026
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What are those team managers doing with our bucks, padding their kids’ college funds?—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Yang is again cautious about overstating the outcome.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
-
At the same time, overstating job requirements carries its own risks.—
Sam Stevenson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some activities aligned with a slower approach could include baking, gardening, sitting with your kids and talking or coloring rather than looking at a screen, and putting comfort first.—
Sari Hitchins,
Parents,
11 Apr. 2026
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Each cookie has cheery yellow petals and a magenta center, with coloring strictly derived from vegetable juices.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But nighttime pain that woke me every few hours was likely from overdoing, Bugbee’s nurse explained.—
Nicole Sours Larson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
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Don't Go Overboard with Pillows One easy way to keep from clogging up the bedroom is not overdoing it with throw pillows.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Soko applied finishing treatments using Hydrogel technology to preserve the fabric and achieve vintage wash effects, significantly reducing water consumption and enhancing the overall sustainability footprint.—
SJ Studio,
Footwear News,
15 Apr. 2026
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The city says investing in pedestrian infrastructure will help to reduce vehicle miles traveled, easing congestion and enhancing the environmental and economic vitality of the area.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Video footage shows motorists in the southeast African country of Mozambique waiting for hours at fuel stations as shortages grip the country, with lines of traffic stretching for blocks and drivers traveling between multiple stations in search of petrol or diesel.—
Yarden Segev,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
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The move represented the shattering of a tradition of bipartisan support for public broadcasting stretching back more than a half-century.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Gauthier was hyperbolizing, but his statement looked true Monday.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The executive director of Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District provided a statement, saying the wharf is evolving, new businesses are opening, and the area is expanding in ways that make Fisherman's Wharf more accessible and engaging.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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These are jobs not created, customers not served, communities that don’t reap the benefits of expanding local business.—
Walter Rowen,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerating. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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