exaggerate
verb (used with object)
to magnify beyond the limits of truth; overstate; represent disproportionately.
had been exaggerating
-
past perfect progressiveof exaggerate.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
However, four former Drone to Home volunteers claimed to the BBC the charity had been exaggerating how many dogs it reunited with owners.
From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2026
When revelations surfaced that First Brands, Tricolor and PrimaLend had been exaggerating their financial “virility,” the industry went full Seinfeld.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2025
The argument over whether Bremmer was mistaken, Musk had been exaggerating, or Musk was backtracking from the truth failed to obscure two deeper points Bremmer made in his newsletter:
From Washington Post ● Oct. 12, 2022
Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou later revealed in a series of investigative reports that Holmes and other Theranos executives had been exaggerating their claims about the technology, which often produced inaccurate readings.
From Slate ● Mar. 14, 2018
Just in case Gay or Phil ever thought I had been exaggerating, I pointed out that the other children’s comments were nauseatingly familiar.
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
