exaggerate
verb
ex·ag·ger·ate
ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrāt 
exaggerated; exaggerating
1
: to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth : overstate
a friend exaggerates a man's virtues—
Joseph Addison
Joseph Addison2
: to enlarge or increase especially beyond the normal : overemphasize
: to make an overstatement
Synonyms
Examples of exaggerate in a Sentence
The book exaggerates the difficulties he faced in starting his career.
It's impossible to exaggerate the importance of this discovery.
He tends to exaggerate when talking about his accomplishments.
He exaggerated his movements so we could see them more clearly.
Recent Examples on the Web
Many progressive groups grossly exaggerate problems as an argument for federalizing national elections or to use as a fundraising tool.
—Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
The book generated a backlash among Israel’s supporters, and he was accused of exaggerating the situation and misstating some facts.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Another example could be stores exaggerating how much food or product is inside an item.
—Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024
The payment is the judgment leveled against Trump for intentionally approving financial documents that exaggerated the value of his assets to land better business opportunities.
—Stephen Pastis, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exaggerate 
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Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
The book generated a backlash among Israel’s supporters, and he was accused of exaggerating the situation and misstating some facts.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Another example could be stores exaggerating how much food or product is inside an item.
—Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024
The payment is the judgment leveled against Trump for intentionally approving financial documents that exaggerated the value of his assets to land better business opportunities.
—Stephen Pastis, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exaggerate
Dictionary Entries Near exaggerate
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exaggerate. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exaggerate
verb
ex·ag·ger·ate
ig-ˈzaj-ə-ˌrāt
exaggerated; exaggerating
: to enlarge a fact or statement beyond what is actual or true
exaggeratedly
adverb
-ˌrāt-əd-lē
exaggeratedness
noun
-nəs
Etymology
from Latin exaggeratus "exaggerate," from exaggerare, literally, "to heap up"
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