EXAGGERATION Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

exaggeration

noun

ig-ˌza-jə-ˈrā-shən

Definition of exaggeration

as in caricature

the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts their exaggeration was such that a rainstorm became a hurricane

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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 exaggeration Asante draws a manufacturing analogy—with some exaggeration—arguing that previous nuclear power plants were built bespoke, akin to constructing an entire factory to produce a single car. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 The backlash is usually predictable, every wave of visible mobility aid use brings accusations of exaggeration and attention-seeking, aimed almost entirely at young women. — Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Distracting from real issues These conspiracy theories are more than exaggerations for a broader audience. — Aaron Coy Moulton, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026 In her Tinker Bell costume, Ashley seems as thirsty for a peach as Shamea is, reveling in the opportunity to tell her side of the story but obviously sprinkling her own fairy dust of exaggeration into the narrative. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for exaggeration

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggeration

Noun

Jerry could easily be a caricature of a pretentious artiste stuck overseeing anonymous regional theater productions.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
There’s no outrageous violence or unpleasant caricatures, and the 157-minute runtime feels breezy.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of caricature

Noun

You might be tempted to label it pull-quote hyperbole had the Oscar-winning documentarian put this particular testimonial near the beginning of his two-part, four-hour movie.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2026
Such is the relentless hyperbole of the book that the title seems to want an exclamation point.

— Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of hyperbole

Noun

Before the Rams went through stretching exercises, Donald sat on a red exercise ball, taking in the scene and focusing his thoughts for the workout ahead.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Two to 3 inches of rain are possible in a corridor stretching from the Great Lakes into southern New England, though confidence is low on how far east the rain will travel.

— Tyler Ory, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of stretching

Noun

Its onboard Neural Processing Unit (NPU) powers advanced AI workflows, intelligent search tools, and real-time camera enhancements without taxing system resources or battery life.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
The jury also found true an enhancement for fleeing after committing a gross vehicular manslaughter and personally using a deadly weapon in the commission of the offense.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of enhancement

Noun

But the reality is that cases are climbing into the thousands across 45 states, as USA Today reports, meaning his reassurances appear to have been a gross overstatement.

— Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 30 July 2026
This packed a certain richness, given how Walz’s military record—or his overstatement of it—created its own recurring migraine for Harris.

— Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Definition of overstatement

Noun

With a smooth white leather upper packed with perforations for breathability, the Sport Blue colorway gets its name from the coloring across the sneaker’s midsole and on its branding and details.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026
The lawsuit further alleged that Trader Joe’s put its crustless PB&Js peanut in packaging that too closely resembled the coloring of an Uncrustables box and featured a similar photograph of a sandwich with a bite taken out of one side.

— Dee-Ann Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of coloring

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exaggerating

exaggeration

exaggerations

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“Exaggeration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggeration. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of exaggeration

noun

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