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View synonyms for exaggerate

exaggerate

[ ig-zaj-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing.
  1. to magnify beyond the limits of truth; overstate; represent disproportionately:

    to exaggerate the difficulties of a situation.

    Synonyms: embroider, amplify, embellish

    Antonyms: minimize

  2. to increase or enlarge abnormally:

    Those shoes exaggerate the size of my feet.

    Synonyms: inflate



verb (used without object)

, ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing.
  1. to employ exaggeration, as in speech or writing:

    a person who is always exaggerating.

exaggerate

/ ɪɡˈzædʒəˌreɪt /

verb

  1. to regard or represent as larger or greater, more important or more successful, etc, than is true
  2. 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


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Derived Forms

  • exˈaggerˌator, noun
  • exˈaggerative, adjective
  • exˈaggerˌatingly, adverb
  • exˌaggerˈation, noun
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Other Words From

  • ex·agger·ating·ly adverb
  • ex·agger·ator noun
  • nonex·agger·ating adjective
  • over·ex·agger·ate verb overexaggerated overexaggerating
  • unex·agger·ating adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of exaggerate1

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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of exaggerate1

C16: from Latin exaggerāre to magnify, from aggerāre to heap, from agger heap
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Example Sentences

Hindenburg also panned the Nikola One, the company’s first semi truck, calling it “not a real truck” and said it corroborated a Bloomberg story from June about the company exaggerating its capabilities.

From Fortune

In June, Bloomberg News reported that, according to people familiar with the matter, Milton had exaggerated the capabilities of its debut big rig during an unveiling event in December 2016.

From Fortune

Street artists often take news stories, rumours and public information and reflect and exaggerate them.

Concerns and anxiety can sometimes tip into the unhelpful range, however, when your mind exaggerates a threat, explains Lee, the psychologist.

So there’s a supposed psychological phenomenon — bystander apathy — that turns out to be misinterpreted, or exaggerated.

It should be noted that the Anti-Coup movement has been known to exaggerate facts and numbers.

Not to exaggerate, but it was the sexiest thing that has ever been on television.

But things inspire you based on your personal experience, and then you exaggerate or incorporate other stories from friends.

Hårdh is careful not to exaggerate expectations, calling the new device a complement, not a cure.

Fame is known to exaggerate a character, and Oprah uses two examples: the humanitarian and the jerk.

Consequently there is so universal misery that no words could exaggerate it to your Majesty.

It is almost impossible to describe them without appearing to exaggerate.

Come and see me, we will laugh and talk, but don't exaggerate what I am worth, for I am worth very little.

The Félibres put forth great claims for the richness of their vocabulary, and they undoubtedly exaggerate.

Monsieur has been somewhat misled, it would seem, by his friend who was witty at my expense and inclined to exaggerate.

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