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
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
If that sounds like an overstatement, then think about it this way.
—Matthew Scogin, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
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
If that sounds like an overstatement, then think about it this way.
—Matthew Scogin, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overstatement
Noun
-
Speaking of which, the concept of royalty among members of PFV is no exaggeration, though some of the blue blood flowing through members’ veins is merely aristocratic.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
27 Dec. 2025
-
The deliberate exaggeration of both Lee’s performance and Park’s direction is what draws us into a suspension of moral disbelief, a sense of complicity with Man-su’s outrageous scheme.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Some of the Catholic and Jewish characters are caricatures, too, but this anonymous ideologue is a bit too understated for someone wanting to conscript another into deadly service and could benefit from the absurdist flair Cash deploys elsewhere.—
Niela Orr,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In less careful hands, the role could have collapsed into caricature.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The conversation moved into unsexy hyperbole very quickly.—
Amogh Dimri,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Never one to miss a hyperbole, Sandy compares it to the soccer World Cup.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overstatement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overstatement. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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