1
as in to enhance
to add to the interest of by including made-up details
the American colonist John Smith is believed by many historians to have exaggerated his adventures
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2
as in to overstate
to describe or express in too strong terms
it would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of this entrance exam
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as in inflated
extended beyond normal or realistic bounds
loves the exaggerated emotions that are part and parcel of grand opera
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1
as in padded
to add to the interest of by including made-up details
the American colonist John Smith is believed by many historians to have exaggerated his adventures
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overstated
to describe or express in too strong terms
it would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of this entrance exam
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exaggerate
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025
The suit, filed Monday in federal court in the Eastern District of Texas, amounts to a counterpunch against a suit Bonta filed against Exxon Mobil last September accusing the company of greatly exaggerating the extent to which plastics can be recycled by portraying them as universally recyclable.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Catherine Santino, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
An exaggerated smoky eye at Armani Privé Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
At Armani Privé’s 20th anniversary show, a new rendition of the smoky eye graced the runway.
—Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for exaggerate 
Verb
To start, Engelman suggests that maintaining skin barrier hydration is essential to retaining plump, bouncy skin, as dehydrated skin exaggerates signs of aging.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025
The suit, filed Monday in federal court in the Eastern District of Texas, amounts to a counterpunch against a suit Bonta filed against Exxon Mobil last September accusing the company of greatly exaggerating the extent to which plastics can be recycled by portraying them as universally recyclable.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The rapper wore oversize, skirt-like gray pants with a dramatically exaggerated hip silhouette — plus another gray tie and white shirt.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
An exaggerated smoky eye at Armani Privé Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
At Armani Privé’s 20th anniversary show, a new rendition of the smoky eye graced the runway.
—Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for exaggerate
Thesaurus Entries Near exaggerate
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerate. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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