1
as in to enhance
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 to overstate
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 exaggerate
By exaggerating the patients’ health problems, insurers collect larger payments from government without providing additional healthcare.
—
Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
In his Gettysburg Address, considered one of the greatest speeches in American history, Lincoln did not toot his own horn or exaggerate the significance of his own words.
—Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
City officials say telecom companies have exaggerated the impact of that city law.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
This was borrowed directly from American sports reporters, with their propensity to exaggerate to make a point, often by citing absurd numbers.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
In his Gettysburg Address, considered one of the greatest speeches in American history, Lincoln did not toot his own horn or exaggerate the significance of his own words.
—Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
City officials say telecom companies have exaggerated the impact of that city law.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
This was borrowed directly from American sports reporters, with their propensity to exaggerate to make a point, often by citing absurd numbers.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerate
Verb
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Both forwards scored Wednesday, and both enhanced the opportunities of several teammates.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
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The dermatology and wellness center blends functional and aesthetic medicine to offer treatments designed to enhance natural features rather than dramatically alter them.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
Verb
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But claims that Los Angeles — alongside New York — was the safest big city are generally considered overstated rather than conclusively proven.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Trump account promoters have massively overstated the potential wealth gains for ordinary Americans.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
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They shouldn’t be allowed to use their refunds to pad their profits while continuing to keep their prices high for hardworking Americans.—
Linda Sánchez,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
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Kacie Hoffmann padded the lead with a two-run homer to right in the fourth and Ava Kuszak added a solo shot to left in the sixth.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Mulch can create a natural breeding ground for earwigs, which is beneficial, but don’t overdo it.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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One caveat for those seeking to dive into pore care, Idriss warns to not overdo it.—
Diana Tsui,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Gauthier was hyperbolizing, but his statement looked true Monday.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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The filthy talk of collusion, of course hyperbolized by Unsocial Media, again is crawling out of the swamp.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2023
Verb
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But the bureaucracy of resettlement can stretch on for years, and by the early twenty-tens Jordan had one of the largest per-capita refugee populations on earth.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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Our former swing state now has become a red state through and through thanks largely to the new congressional districts which are stretched to inane proportions.—
Ann Marie Luft,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The snake is copper-colored, light brown or tan.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
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The Xerces Society offers free, print-at-home signs including a kids' version that children can color.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The whole world is overdrawn Washington’s problem looks almost manageable next to the global picture.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
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Going through their late mother’s accounts, Sara notices that the joint account Josh shared with her is overdrawn.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerate. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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