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
That appears to be an overstatement.
—
Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
That might sound like an overstatement of Murray’s abilities.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
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
Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
That might sound like an overstatement of Murray’s abilities.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overstatement
Noun
-
This, and jokes like it, transcend absurd exaggeration to achieve something much closer to magical realism.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
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Behind the private gates of Clos du Lac, where vineyards edge the winding roads, one hilltop estate overlooking Folsom Lake pulls off the Mediterranean spirit so seamlessly that comparisons to the Italian countryside don’t feel like exaggeration.—
David Caraccio
March 28,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The latter, a wry comedy of futile endeavor, was based on a story by Kiarostami, but Haghighi soon sought to shake off Kiarostami’s influence—and, even more, a prevailing caricature of Iranian cinema that Kiarostami’s style had given rise to.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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There will also be hands-on creative activities for people of all ages, including printmaking, henna and glitter tattoos, foam crafts, sand art, caricatures, and more.—
Alyson Rodriguez,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Parodies, comedies, satire, sarcasm, hyperbole.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The New York Jets live in a world of hyperbole, where moments and words get exaggerated beyond the point of their original meaning.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overstatement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overstatement. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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