exaggerate
[ ig-zaj-uh-reyt ]
/ ɪgˈzædʒ əˌreɪt /
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verb (used with object), ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing.
to magnify beyond the limits of truth; overstate; represent disproportionately: to exaggerate the difficulties of a situation.
to increase or enlarge abnormally: Those shoes exaggerate the size of my feet.
verb (used without object), ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing.
to employ exaggeration, as in speech or writing: a person who is always exaggerating.
SYNONYMS FOR exaggerate
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of exaggerate
OTHER WORDS FROM exaggerate
Words nearby exaggerate
exaction, exactitude, exactly, exact science, exacum, exaggerate, exaggerated, exaggeration, exaggerative, exahertz, ex all
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for exaggerate
British Dictionary definitions for exaggerate
exaggerate
/ (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 usualhis new clothes exaggerated his awkwardness
Derived forms of exaggerate
exaggeratingly, adverbexaggeration, nounexaggerative or exaggeratory, adjectiveexaggerator, nounWord Origin for exaggerate
C16: from Latin exaggerāre to magnify, from aggerāre to heap, from agger heap
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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