Word: Exaggerate

Pronunciation

/ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt/

Definitions

• Verb: To represent something as larger, better, worse, more significant, or more important than it actually is; to overstate or magnify.

Examples:

• Verb: “She exaggerated her achievements during the interview to seem more qualified.”
• “The child exaggerated his injury to get more sympathy from his parents.”
• “Don’t exaggerate the problem; let’s focus on finding a solution.”

Phrases

• “Exaggerate the issue” - to make an issue seem more serious than it really is.
• “Exaggerate one’s reaction” - to respond in an overly dramatic manner.
• “Exaggerate the benefits” - to present something as having greater advantages than it truly does.

Example Sentences

• Verb: “He tends to exaggerate his wealth to impress others.”
• “The news headline exaggerated the severity of the storm.”
• “Don’t exaggerate your fear; it was just a tiny spider.”

Synonyms

• Overstate
• Inflate
• Magnify
• Amplify
• Hyperbolize
• Embellish
• Augment
• Distort (in a context where truth is misrepresented)