exaggerate

verb

ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
Definition of exaggeratenext
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

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 exaggerate On the contrary, the gas giant can also exaggerate ego, entitlement, overconfidence and excess. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 Emma Wager, senior policy analyst for the program on the ACA at KFF, said there is fraud in the ACA marketplace, but the scale described by the federal government may be exaggerated. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 June 2026 One Iranian woman, sporting a Pride flag behind her ear, brushed off the culture clash, saying the media exaggerated most of it. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026 Drama hides a hero’s flaws; comedy exaggerates it. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerate
  1. enhance
  2. overstate
  3. pad
  4. overdo
  5. hyperbolize
  6. stretch
  7. color
  8. overdraw
Verb
  • The researchers are working on several aspects of the diving suit technology, including improving durability, adapting the suit for other cockroach and insect species, and integrating additional sensors to enhance functionality.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • Visitors can enhance their experience by staying overnight in one of four bed-and-breakfast-style suites at Falcon Manor, located on the mansion’s grounds.
    — Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • That is not to overstate what those four produced with the Heat, with a sum total of zero playoff-game victories over the past two seasons, only one over the past three.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026
  • The value of Messi’s unobtrusive search-lighting of the field is hard to overstate.
    — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
Definition of overstate
Verb
  • England brought on Bellingham and Elliot Anderson to try to pad the lead, and the 23-year-old Bellingham almost obliged in the 80th minute, but the shot was saved by Maignan.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Financial advisers aren't just dispensing help on investments and padding a nest egg anymore.
    — Medora Lee, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Definition of pad
Verb
  • Signs of Fertilizer Problems Fertilizer can be easy to overdo, building up to toxic levels in the soil.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
  • There aren’t many downsides to eating fruit, although, as with anything, try not to overdo it.
    — Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 13 July 2026
Definition of overdo
Verb
  • Gauthier was hyperbolizing, but his statement looked true Monday.
    — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of hyperbolize
Verb
  • Each format layers protein with fiber and healthy fats, which helps stretch a small meal into real nutrition.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 15, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • The enforcement operations stretched from the Middle East to the Indian Ocean, thousands of miles away.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of stretch
Verb
  • The long and wide lobby has white and cream colored, curved sofas.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
  • This four-part series was made by people who love Burning Man, which definitely colors the doc — but at least the first episode shows the place off pretty well.
    — David Pierce, The Verge, 11 July 2026
Definition of color
Verb
  • No fee is charged if the item amount is less than or equal to $5 or your account is overdrawn by $20 or less.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 14 July 2026
  • The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, respected worldwide as a global authority on financial risk, has warned withdrawals from nature have far exceeded deposits and many of our accounts are now overdrawn, risking irreversible collapse.
    — Nina Seega, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Definition of overdraw

Browse Nearby Words

exacts
exaggerate
exaggerated
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Cite this Entry

“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerate. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of exaggerate for Spanish Speakers

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