exaggerate

[ig-zaj-uh-reyt]

verb (used with object)

exaggerated, exaggerating 

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)

exaggerated, exaggerating 

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

Other Word Forms

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of exaggerate¹

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

Example Sentences

He starred as Manchester music mogul Tony Wilson in Michael Winterbottom's 2002 film 24 Hour Party People, and then alongside friend and fellow comic Rob Brydon as exaggerated versions of themselves in The Trip.

From BBC

This week, China's Cyberspace Administration launched a two-month campaign to curb social media posts that "excessively exaggerate negative and pessimistic sentiments".

From BBC

“Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated,” says the text over the photo, referencing a famous and famously misquoted line from the American literary icon.

From Los Angeles Times

When suffering is measured, it becomes harder to dismiss; when it is left uncounted, it drifts back into the realm of anecdote, where policymakers can insist the problem is exaggerated, isolated or even imaginary.

From Salon

And exaggerated claims to have got rid of the Irish Sea border still work against the DUP and work for the TUV.

From BBC

Related Words

• amplify 
• distort 
• emphasize 
• fabricate 
• falsify 
• heighten 
• inflate 
• magnify 
• misrepresent 
• overdo 
• overdraw 
• overemphasize 
• overestimate