overstate

[oh-ver-steyt] / ˌoʊ vərˈsteɪt /

VERB

exaggerate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amplify emphasize heighten inflate magnify misrepresent overdo overemphasize overestimate

STRONG

boast boost brag embellish embroider enlarge exalt expand fabricate fudge hike lie misquote pad puff

WEAK

blow out of proportion build up lay it on thick misreport play up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

compress contract decrease ignore lessen play down

STRONG

abridge be modest deprecate lower reduce shrink simplify tell the truth

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.

“It is difficult to overstate just how much of an impact the fate of this budget will have for U.S.-Taiwan relations,” said David Sacks, an Asia-focused fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

In his seminal work External link on the impact of automation on jobs, MIT economist David Autor noted the tendency of headlines to overstate the extent of job losses from new technology.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

It is difficult to overstate the void Bale left.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

The significance of this climbdown is hard to overstate.

From Slate • Mar. 24, 2026

In fact, by terming it a 'problem', I perhaps overstate the matter.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Vocabulary lists containing overstate

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“Mandatory Vaccination is Not the Answer to Measles” by Bob Sears

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The Number Devil

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