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Munchausen

British  
/ ˈmynçhauzən /

noun

  1. an exaggerated story

  2. a person who tells such a story

"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

Etymology

Origin of Munchausen

C19: after Baron Münchhausen, subject of a series of exaggerated adventure tales written in English by R. E. Raspe (1737–94)

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.

Because Munchausen is difficult to identify in people, Blanchard's case and life story is a rare one.

From Salon • Jan. 5, 2024

Her mother Dee Dee Blanchard lived with Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder in which parents or caregivers seek sympathy through the exaggerated or made-up illnesses of their children.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2023

Her mother had Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder in which parents or caregivers seek sympathy through the exaggerated or made-up illnesses of their children, said her trial attorney, Michael Stanfield.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 27, 2023

Hospital staff suspected that her mother was exaggerating the symptoms and demanding high doses of ketamine and sedatives as part of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, according to the Daily Mail.

From Washington Times • Nov. 9, 2023

Some interest attaches to Raspe, in that he was not only the author of "Baron Munchausen," but was also the villain in Scott's "Antiquary."

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius

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