exaggerate

[ ig-zaj-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing.

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)

, ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing.

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 Words From

• 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

In an exaggerated, fake show of support, each cast member takes their turn to praise the president elect, peppering their speech with "Hail Trump" and sometimes even "Your Honor."

From Salon

These included claims of the vote being “stolen” in some key swing states, with exaggerated takes on real events being used in some cases to bolster the allegations.

From BBC

“Our settlement with Lyft bans exaggerated earnings claims and underscores the FTC’s commitment to ensuring gig workers are treated fairly.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We want America to support Kyiv as much as it can, but the differences between the Republicans and the Democrats shouldn’t be exaggerated,” is how one Whitehall source put it.

From BBC

“When I say the odds in this year’s presidential race are about as close as you can possibly get to 50/50, I’m not exaggerating,” he said.

From Salon

Related Words

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