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

Lee might have foreseen the appeal of Norris’s peculiar blend of Okie familiarity and hyperbolic badassery before Norris did. —Chris Klimek, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026

Norris, through his role in Walker, Texas Ranger, had built exactly the kind of tough-guy persona that made the hyperbolic format sing. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026

The governor used the hyperbolic phrase as did the foundation. —Michael Adno, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026

The acronym that serves as the title is not at all hyperbolic. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026

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