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Showing results for overstate.
Definitions

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.

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

The significance of this climbdown is hard to overstate.

From Slate • Mar. 24, 2026

It is hard to overstate just how unusual this is.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

"I think that there's an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement ... but I don't want to overstate it either," Rubio said during a visit to Hungary on Monday.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

It is difficult to overstate the importance of rice in North Korean culture.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.