exaggerate
verb (used with object)
to magnify beyond the limits of truth; overstate; represent disproportionately.
were exaggerating
-
past progressiveof exaggerate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
What I was saying before is that they were exaggerating the threat.
From Slate ● Aug. 22, 2026
Mrs Poole says it "felt very much that no-one believed us, that we were exaggerating", but following the inquests hopes "we can save lives and drive change going forward".
From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2023
Mr. Sodhi said that he suspected chip makers were exaggerating the shortage to pry subsidies from governments, and that the crisis could be over in a month.
From New York Times ● Apr. 23, 2021
Maybe, Grimes thought desperately as he drove over to the club, the people texting him about the destruction were exaggerating.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 2, 2021
Both men were exaggerating; Houston wasn't fat, but his broad, powerful frame couldn't be called skinny, either.
From The Penal Cluster by Randall Garrett
