overexaggerate

verb

over·​ex·​ag·​ger·​ate ˌō-vər-ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrāt How to pronounce overexaggerate (audio)
overexaggerated; overexaggerating

transitive + intransitive

: to exaggerate (something) to an excessive degree
overexaggerating the threat/danger/risk
Its effect/impact/importance was greatly overexaggerated.
Let's face it: we are hardly objective in evaluating ourselves. We overexaggerate both our talents and failings.Mark Rice-Oxley
He yawns, overexaggerating, like a silent screen star.Marly Swick
… Roberts's most disgusting habit threatened to tear their chemistry apart. OK, so maybe we're slightly overexaggerating.Crystal Bell
overexaggeration noun
plural overexaggerations
knew his complaint was an overexaggeration
overexaggerated adjective
overexaggerated gestures/claims

Examples of overexaggerate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In addition, a mindful approach to the mistake would lessen the need to either overexaggerate or deny its significance. Anna Bruk, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2021 Hydrow claims that each stroke is virtually silent, but too often, companies overexaggerate quiet claims. Steph Coelho, chicagotribune.com, 9 Sep. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overexaggerate was in 1900

Dictionary Entries Near overexaggerate

Cite this Entry

“Overexaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overexaggerate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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