View synonyms for exaggerate

exaggerate

[ig-zaj-uh-reyt]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

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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

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

The suspects are accused of having made claims for land they did not own and exaggerating the numbers of livestock on farms.

Related Words

exacum exaggerated

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