as in exaggeration
the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts
a claim to worldwide fame is a bit of an overstatement on the part of that nightclub
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Recent Examples of overstatement
Rather than feeling stuck between silence and overstatement, the most effective leaders are taking a more intentional approach.
—
Teresa Hopke, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
With job growth averaging just shy of 40,000 in that period, an overstatement that size would equate to payroll losses of about 20,000 per month.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
The look leaned into tuxedo influences without overstatement — a long jacket line, uninterrupted black trousers and a graphic monochrome balance.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 30 Nov. 2025
Everyone used to say that the horns sound like kazoos on that record, which is a slight overstatement.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Advertisement But whether the peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand becomes a genuine achievement or an overstatement, experts say, is still up in the air.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Teresa Hopke, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
With job growth averaging just shy of 40,000 in that period, an overstatement that size would equate to payroll losses of about 20,000 per month.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
The look leaned into tuxedo influences without overstatement — a long jacket line, uninterrupted black trousers and a graphic monochrome balance.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 30 Nov. 2025
Everyone used to say that the horns sound like kazoos on that record, which is a slight overstatement.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Advertisement But whether the peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand becomes a genuine achievement or an overstatement, experts say, is still up in the air.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overstatement
Noun
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The four first-round picks is an exaggeration, because Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois traded one (and a prospect) for each player, but the point is sound.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Any exaggeration of the harms of COVID vaccines by ACIP’s members could give the committee, and ultimately Bhattacharya’s CDC, justification to advise certain populations to stop taking the shots altogether.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the show, created by Jonathan Glatzer, also captures something about the people that goes beyond caricature and that resonates at this particular moment.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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The ants that animators once morphed into googly-eyed caricatures in films such as A Bug’s Life and Antz just received a meticulously precise anatomical reboot.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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To suggest the Penguins are in trouble in terms of making the postseason isn’t hyperbole.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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But this is the season of hyperbole, so the Dodgers still have a chance to go 194-0 between the Cactus League and the regular season.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overstatement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overstatement. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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