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
Apple just settled a class-action lawsuit for exaggerating the AI capabilities of its newest iPhones.
—
Vitaliy Katsenelson, Fortune, 14 May 2026
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
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
Vitaliy Katsenelson, Fortune, 14 May 2026
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
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
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Perhaps this isn’t new—Star Wars has been taking small moments from the original trilogy and padding them out for decades now—almost everything seen on screen in those first three films has been resurrected, fleshed out with backstories and unnecessary details.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
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The stock closed at a record high of $237 — padding out year-to-date gains to 117%.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Jones also served as bank president in 2008-2009, Gaia said, when the previous president was fired after being accused of overstating the bank’s earnings during the financial crisis.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
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With respect to Slaten, overstating your credentials may seem relatively insignificant but a judge should not have such tendencies.—
Rafael Perez,
Daily News,
25 May 2026
Verb
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When buying, look for mushrooms that are firm and consistent in coloring.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 May 2026
-
To understand that definition, put yourself in the position of the verifier in the map-coloring example.—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Right now, its digital shelves are stocked with purses from Michael Kors, a label known for structured silhouettes, quality craftsmanship, and a polished aesthetic that delivers glam without overdoing it.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 May 2026
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There are real downsides to overdoing it, particularly when the extra protein comes from red meat and saturated fats.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Due to its modular architecture it can be integrated with other rocket motors for enhancing range and maneuverability against sub-sonic and supersonic threats.—
Aditya Jadhav,
Interesting Engineering,
27 May 2026
-
Finishes play a key role in enhancing fabrics with density.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Whether Glasner was justified or not in his complaints, a prolonged period of poor form, stretching back well over a month, coupled with his outbursts, led to questions over his future.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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With roots stretching back to the late 19th century, the gardens were developed with two prominent local families before becoming part of the nonprofit National Tropical Botanical Garden network in the 1980s.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
28 May 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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That could result in a BLEVE, or boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion, which would have caused widespread damage and released toxic material into the air.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
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Shutto, a luxury shuttle service, is expanding into Dallas ahead of the tournament.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerating. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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