exaggerate

American

[ig-zaj-uh-reyt] / ɪgˈzædʒ əˌreɪt /

verb (used with object)

exaggerated, exaggerating

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

to exaggerate the difficulties of a situation.

Synonyms:

embroider, amplify, embellish

Antonyms:

minimize
to increase or enlarge abnormally.

Those shoes exaggerate the size of my feet.

Synonyms:

inflate

verb (used without object)

exaggerated, exaggerating

to employ exaggeration, as in speech or writing.

a person who is always exaggerating.

exaggerate British

/ ɪɡˈzædʒəˌreɪt /

verb

to regard or represent as larger or greater, more important or more successful, etc, than is true
(tr) to make greater, more noticeable, etc, than usual

his new clothes exaggerated his awkwardness

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

exaggeratingly adverb
exaggeration noun
exaggerative adjective
exaggerator noun
nonexaggerating adjective
overexaggerate verb
unexaggerating adjective

Etymology

Origin of exaggerate

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Prosecutors said that Milton made repeated statements exaggerating or misrepresenting the capabilities of the company and its products.

From The Wall Street Journal

Anna May feigned offense, then tipped up her chin and said with exaggerated loftiness, “And actually, I was one of just three lantern holders.”

From Literature

It’s the second time Hernández has played the comedian, whose caricature of Maniscalco in a red blazer and black turtleneck is at turns spot on, exaggerated and completely hilarious.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the decline in January was exaggerated by a 9.8% output fall in Ireland, whose economy is particularly volatile due to being a base for large multinational firms.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. exports rose 5.5% in January to a record $302.1 billion, but the increase was exaggerated by another large outflow of gold and other precious metals.

From MarketWatch

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023