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.

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

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026

Flat Mercator-projection maps, like the one Lauder showed Trump, exaggerate the size of landmasses near the Earth’s north and south poles.

From Slate • Jan. 8, 2026

It would be difficult to exaggerate Europe’s outrage at the proposal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

"It's important not to exaggerate the collapse of public faith in the BBC," insisted Dan Hind, an author focusing on media and democracy.

From Barron's • Nov. 15, 2025

In thus describing China’s seminal role in East Asian civilization, we should not exaggerate.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Vocabulary lists containing exaggerate

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