exaggerate

[ig-zaj-uh-reyt]

verb (used with object)

exaggerated, exaggerating 

1. to magnify beyond the limits of truth; overstate; represent disproportionately.

   to exaggerate the difficulties of a situation.

   Synonyms: embroider, amplify, embellish
   Antonyms: minimize

2. to increase or enlarge abnormally.

   Those shoes exaggerate the size of my feet.

   Synonyms: inflate

verb (used without object)

exaggerated, exaggerating 

1. to employ exaggeration, as in speech or writing.

   a person who is always exaggerating.

exaggerate

/ ɪɡˈzædʒəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to regard or represent as larger or greater, more important or more successful, etc, than is true

2. (tr) to make greater, more noticeable, etc, than usual

   his new clothes exaggerated his awkwardness

Other Word Forms

• exaggeratingly adverb
• exaggerator noun
• nonexaggerating adjective
• overexaggerate verb
• unexaggerating adjective
• exaggerative adjective
• exaggeration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exaggerate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin exaggerātus “heaped up,” past participle of exaggerāre “to heap up,” from ex- ex- ¹ + agger “heap” + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of exaggerate¹

C16: from Latin exaggerāre to magnify, from aggerāre to heap, from agger heap

Example Sentences

The pair insist the situation was exaggerated in the edit, with Kieran saying the love triangle was "slightly manufactured".

From BBC

While CDC scientists held their tongues, Kennedy exaggerated the power of nutrition and vitamin A while furthering mistrust in vaccines.

From Salon

The setup: As audience members, we are to be trained as pirates in 17th century England, with much of the cast performing in exaggerated accents.

From Los Angeles Times

Dov Waxman, a professor of Israel studies, said that while antisemitism on campus is an issue, it has been “grossly overstated and exaggerated to serve other political purposes and ideological agendas.”

From Los Angeles Times

My latest experiment has been a pair of plastic, exaggerated cat-eye sunglasses, striped in rainbow colors.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amplify 
• distort 
• emphasize 
• fabricate 
• falsify 
• heighten 
• inflate 
• magnify 
• misrepresent 
• overdo 
• overdraw 
• overemphasize 
• overestimate