hyperbolic

1 of 2

adjective (1)

hy·​per·​bol·​ic ˌhī-pər-ˈbä-lik 

variants or less commonly hyperbolical

ˌhī-pər-ˈbä-li-kəl 

: of, relating to, or marked by language that exaggerates or overstates the truth : of, relating to, or marked by hyperbole

hyperbolic claims

hyperbolically

ˌhī-pər-ˈbä-li-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

hyperbolic

2 of 2

adjective (2)

1

geometry : of, relating to, or being like a curve that is formed by the intersection of a double right circular cone with a plane that cuts both halves of the cone : of, relating to, or being analogous to a hyperbola

2

: of, relating to, or being a space in which more than one line parallel to a given line passes through a point

hyperbolic geometry

Examples of hyperbolic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Right from the outset of this season, however, all hell broke loose internally — and that description isn’t hyperbolic. —Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025

This makes hyperbolic surfaces particularly difficult to study. —Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025

This hyperbolic rhetoric, which voters previously rejected, aligns with earlier claims that Donald Trump is a dictator, a fascist, Hitler, and a despot. —Matt Klink, Orange County Register, 19 Feb. 2025

Not to be hyperbolic, but the Mets could be on the verge of history. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

see hyperbole

Adjective (2)

see hyperbole

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hyperbolic

• hyperbolic function
• hyperbolic paraboloid

Rhymes for hyperbolic

• alcoholic
• anabolic
• apostolic
• catabolic
• cytosolic
• diabolic
• diastolic
• ethanolic
• melancholic
• metabolic
• methanolic
• parabolic