exaggerate

[ ig-zaj-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

exaggerated, exaggerating.

1. to magnify beyond the limits of truth; overstate; represent disproportionately:

   to exaggerate the difficulties of a situation.

   Synonyms: embroider, amplify, embellish

   Antonyms: minimize

2. to increase or enlarge abnormally:

   Those shoes exaggerate the size of my feet.

   Synonyms: inflate

verb (used without object)

exaggerated, exaggerating.

1. to employ exaggeration, as in speech or writing:

   a person who is always exaggerating.

exaggerate

/ ɪɡˈzædʒəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to regard or represent as larger or greater, more important or more successful, etc, than is true
2. tr to make greater, more noticeable, etc, than usual

   his new clothes exaggerated his awkwardness

Derived Forms

• exˈaggerˌator, noun
• exˈaggerative, adjective
• exˈaggerˌatingly, adverb
• exˌaggerˈation, noun

Other Word Forms

• ex·agger·ating·ly adverb
• ex·agger·ator noun
• nonex·agger·ating adjective
• over·ex·agger·ate verb overexaggerated overexaggerating
• unex·agger·ating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exaggerate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin exaggerātus “heaped up,” past participle of exaggerāre “to heap up,” from ex- ex- ¹ + agger “heap” + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of exaggerate¹

C16: from Latin exaggerāre to magnify, from aggerāre to heap, from agger heap

Example Sentences

However, my minder would often whisper in my ear afterwards, saying people were exaggerating about the prices.

From BBC

In big picture terms, economists warn the extent to which the pause actually changes the direction of overall US trade policy should not be exaggerated.

From BBC

The company called the commission’s findings on environmental impacts exaggerated, and noted that it has “implemented several construction best management practices to limit impacts to coastal resources, biological resources, and archaeological resources,” Sable wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Her depiction of her role at Facebook may or may not be exaggerated.

From Los Angeles Times

The effect is to turn real human faces — mostly women, but some men — so fake-looking it's uncanny, as if an AI image generator had replaced a person with an exaggerated version of themselves.

From Salon

Related Words

• amplify
• distort
• emphasize
• fabricate
• falsify
• heighten
• inflate
• magnify
• misrepresent
• overdo
• overdraw
• overemphasize
• overestimate