exaggerate

[ ig-zaj-uh-reyt ]
See synonyms for exaggerate on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing.
  1. to magnify beyond the limits of truth; overstate; represent disproportionately: to exaggerate the difficulties of a situation.

  2. to increase or enlarge abnormally: Those shoes exaggerate the size of my feet.

verb (used without object),ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing.
  1. to employ exaggeration, as in speech or writing: a person who is always exaggerating.

Origin of exaggerate

1
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

Other words for exaggerate

Opposites for exaggerate

Other words from exaggerate

  • ex·ag·ger·at·ing·ly, adverb
  • ex·ag·ger·a·tor, noun
  • non·ex·ag·ger·at·ing, adjective
  • o·ver·ex·ag·ger·ate, verb, o·ver·ex·ag·ger·at·ed, o·ver·ex·ag·ger·at·ing.
  • un·ex·ag·ger·at·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use exaggerate in a sentence

  • It highlights—and exaggerates—the prevalence of GMOs in other sections of your grocery store.

    Whole Foods' Anti-GMO Swindle | Michael Schulson | September 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • The health-care reform also includes a budget gimmick that exaggerates the potential budget savings.

    Health Care's Fuzzy Math | Donald B. Marron | March 19, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Stone also exaggerates in painting Bush as a simple-minded born-again Christian.

    My W and Oliver Stone's | Scott McClellan | October 17, 2008 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • She exaggerates the faults of her foes, as well as the virtues of her friends, and widens every breach.

    Girls and Women | Harriet E. Paine (AKA E. Chester}
  • The spoiled child, when it discovers something not to its liking, exaggerates the evil, and indulges its ill-temper.

    Humanly Speaking | Samuel McChord Crothers

British Dictionary definitions for exaggerate

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

Origin of exaggerate

1
C16: from Latin exaggerāre to magnify, from aggerāre to heap, from agger heap

Derived forms of exaggerate

  • exaggeratingly, adverb
  • exaggeration, noun
  • exaggerative or exaggeratory, adjective
  • exaggerator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012