Munchausen

/ ˈmynçhauzən /

noun

1. an exaggerated story
2. a person who tells such a story

Word History and Origins

Origin of Munchausen¹

C19: after Baron Münchhausen, subject of a series of exaggerated adventure tales written in English by R. E. Raspe (1737–94)

Example Sentences

The child was aged between three and six at the time of the Munchausen by proxy poisoning - which is a specific mental illness most often linked to child abuse by a caregiver.

From BBC

I hope they also look at my story and also take from it that this could happen to anyone, and Munchausen by proxy syndrome is far greater than what people might think.

From Salon

Dee Dee suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder and form of child abuse in which a caregiver fabricates, exaggerates or induces serious illness in another person — typically their child — to garner attention.

From Salon

Because Munchausen is difficult to identify in people, Blanchard's case and life story is a rare one.

From Salon

Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s attorney said the mother had Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder in which parents or caregivers seek sympathy through the exaggerated or made-up illnesses of their children.

From Seattle Times