exaggerate

[ig-zaj-uh-reyt] / ɪgˈzædʒ əˌreɪt /

VERB

overstate, embellish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amplify distort emphasize fabricate falsify heighten inflate magnify misrepresent overdo overdraw overemphasize overestimate

STRONG

boast boost brag caricature color corrupt embroider enlarge exalt expand fudge hike hyperbolize intensify lie misquote pad puff pyramid romance romanticize scam stretch up

WEAK

blow out of proportion build up cook up go to extremes lay it on thick loud talk make too much of misreport pretty up put on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

compress contract decrease ignore lessen play down

STRONG

abridge be modest deprecate lower reduce shrink

WEAK

depreciate minimize understate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Customers risk having their claim rejected, their policy cancelled and potential prosecution if they invent or exaggerate a claim.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Fast-growing options markets exaggerate the price moves in both directions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The U.S. trade deficit and the production of inventories —or unsold goods — are also wild cards that could exaggerate ups and downs in fourth-quarter GDP.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026

There is no way to exaggerate the danger of this moment.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026

I’m nervous, so I exaggerate all my movements.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

Vocabulary lists containing exaggerate

Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items

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