exaggerate
verb
ex·ag·ger·ate
ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrāt 
exaggerated; exaggerating
1
: to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth : overstate
a friend exaggerates a man's virtues—
Joseph Addison
Joseph Addison2
: to enlarge or increase especially beyond the normal : overemphasize
: to make an overstatement
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
False Claims and Global Aims: A Times investigation shows Therme, a European firm which runs a spa and water park in Romania, exaggerated its track record in securing a deal with Ontario, and government auditors found that the process had been unfair and opaque.
—Salman Masood, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
According to the singer, his feud with Baskin was exaggerated for ratings.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Examining deception In many cases, state and local governments are arguing that the fossil fuel industry knew about the dangers of climate change and deceived the public about them, and that the industry exaggerated the extent of its investments in energy that doesn’t emit carbon.
—Hannah Wiseman, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Related article Fact check: Trump wildly exaggerates trade deficits with Canada, Mexico, China and the EU
Based on Monday’s closing level, the S&P 500 is down 17.6% from its record high on February 19.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
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Salman Masood, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
According to the singer, his feud with Baskin was exaggerated for ratings.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Examining deception In many cases, state and local governments are arguing that the fossil fuel industry knew about the dangers of climate change and deceived the public about them, and that the industry exaggerated the extent of its investments in energy that doesn’t emit carbon.
—Hannah Wiseman, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Related article Fact check: Trump wildly exaggerates trade deficits with Canada, Mexico, China and the EU
Based on Monday’s closing level, the S&P 500 is down 17.6% from its record high on February 19.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exaggerate
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exaggerate. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exaggerate
verb
ex·ag·ger·ate
ig-ˈzaj-ə-ˌrāt
exaggerated; exaggerating
: to enlarge a fact or statement beyond what is actual or true
exaggeratedly
adverb
-ˌrāt-əd-lē
exaggeratedness
noun
-nəs
Etymology
from Latin exaggeratus "exaggerate," from exaggerare, literally, "to heap up"
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