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
Relevance
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
The league decided to introduce postgame flop fines in the 2012-13 season where plays were reviewed after games and those individuals were fined for exaggerating contact.
—
Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Flopping and exaggerating contact is different.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Flopping is exaggerating contact that’s already there.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 4 May 2026
By exaggerating the patients’ health problems, insurers collect larger payments from government without providing additional healthcare.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
But in early 2024, a short seller accused it of exaggerating the role of artificial intelligence in its business model, leading to a class action lawsuit and a 30% drop in its share price.
—Perrie M. Weiner, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Iranian hackers boasted online of the hacks against Patel and the medical device maker while exaggerating their impact.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
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
Perhaps it was meant as a joke, the proud mother exaggerating her immigrant family’s importance.
—Glenn Kurtz, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Flopping and exaggerating contact is different.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Flopping is exaggerating contact that’s already there.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 4 May 2026
By exaggerating the patients’ health problems, insurers collect larger payments from government without providing additional healthcare.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
But in early 2024, a short seller accused it of exaggerating the role of artificial intelligence in its business model, leading to a class action lawsuit and a 30% drop in its share price.
—Perrie M. Weiner, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Iranian hackers boasted online of the hacks against Patel and the medical device maker while exaggerating their impact.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
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
Perhaps it was meant as a joke, the proud mother exaggerating her immigrant family’s importance.
—Glenn Kurtz, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerating
Verb
-
The stock closed at a record high of $237 — padding out year-to-date gains to 117%.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
-
From his earliest days as an agent, Meredith proudly flouted industry convention while inflating his own reputation and padding his bank account.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While agreeing that the FPV drones were a new challenge, Zehavi cautioned against overstating their impact.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In 1998, Buffett warned against overstating your impact.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Orange and blue start coloring the sky.—
Dana Munro,
Washington Post,
3 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Herzog naturally plays up the enigma at hand with epic grandeur, occasionally overdoing it but usually hitting the mark.—
Eric Kohn,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The Boys uncover evidence that Vought has been covertly administering the performance-enhancing chemical mixture called Compound V to newborns to manufacture Supes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
5 May 2026
-
It can even be grown in containers, enhancing beauty without taking up too much space.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The Moon in Capricorn moves through your 3rd House, opposing Jupiter in your 9th, stretching the gap between details and interpretation.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 May 2026
-
Meteor showers occur on a predictable schedule each year, with some lasting for mere days and others stretching on for weeks.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Gauthier was hyperbolizing, but his statement looked true Monday.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Officials said the department is expanding coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services to include parents above that threshold.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
That means expanding solar on city facilities and exploring innovative energy options to reduce emissions and long-term costs.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerating. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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