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 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

"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

“They wield the power of nature and the power of the people. You can’t overstate their contribution to coastal protection.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

It may be impossible to overstate the significance of race in defining the basic structure of American society.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

overstate

Example Sentences

Related Words