Definitions

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.

And I think it was interesting to try and find levels to it and to have the audience come with you, but not dramatize or exaggerate an emotion.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

The WHO commission’s unstandardized figures exaggerate the problem more than 50-fold.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Up-and-down oil prices can temporarily exaggerate underlying trends in inflation.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Adding to the confusion is a recent University of Michigan study suggesting that the gloves worn by researchers may exaggerate results.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

“The thing is, Eric does exaggerate a bit.”

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman

Vocabulary lists containing exaggerate

Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items

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List 4

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