exaggerate

verb

ex·​ag·​ger·​ate ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
exaggerated; exaggerating

transitive verb

1
: to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth : overstate
a friend exaggerates a man's virtuesJoseph Addison
2
: to enlarge or increase especially beyond the normal : overemphasize

intransitive verb

: to make an overstatement
exaggerative
ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrā-tiv How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
-ˈzaj-rə-tiv
-ˈza-jə-rə-tiv
adjective
exaggerator noun
exaggeratory adjective

Examples of exaggerate in a Sentence

The book exaggerates the difficulties he faced in starting his career. It's impossible to exaggerate the importance of this discovery. He tends to exaggerate when talking about his accomplishments. He exaggerated his movements so we could see them more clearly.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In high-stakes projects, leaders may downplay their employees’ efforts and exaggerate their mistakes. Esade Business & Law School, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 Kehinde’s lawyer argued that the girl lied or exaggerated many of her claims. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 21 May 2025 Meanwhile, Trump supporters contend that the predictions of doom from his tariffs have been exaggerated. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 16 May 2025 The actuaries concluded both that State Farm had exaggerated the financial strain and that the rate increase was not justified, Ms. Balber said. Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for exaggerate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin exaggerātus, past participle of exaggerāre "to heap up, construct by piling up, increase in significance," from ex- ex- entry 1 + aggerāre "to heap up over, form into a heap," verbal derivative of agger "rubble, earthwork, rampart, dam," noun derivative of aggerere "to bring, carry (to or up), push close up (against)," from ag- ag- + gerere "to carry, bring" — more at jest entry 1

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exaggerate was in 1613

Cite this Entry

“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exaggerate. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

exaggerate

verb
ex·​ag·​ger·​ate ig-ˈzaj-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
exaggerated; exaggerating
: to enlarge a fact or statement beyond what is actual or true
exaggeratedly
-ˌrāt-əd-lē
adverb
exaggeratedness
-nəs
noun
exaggeration noun
exaggerator noun
Etymology

from Latin exaggeratus "exaggerate," from exaggerare, literally, "to heap up"

More from Merriam-Webster on exaggerate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!