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

Bowens worries that some people will fraudulently overstate deductions and that people who mess up accidentally could get hurt as the IRS tries to enforce the law.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

It is hard to overstate what a game-changing moment this court verdict is for social media.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

The significance of this climbdown is hard to overstate.

From Slate • Mar. 24, 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

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

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