Exaggerate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrāt/ ex·ag·ger·ate

Meaning & Definition of Exaggerate

Exaggerate (verb)

  1. to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth, overstate
  2. to enlarge or increase especially beyond the normal, overemphasize
  3. to make an overstatement

Exaggerate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: color, elaborate (on), embellish, embroider, hyperbolize, magnify, pad, stretch
    related: dress up, gussy up, amplify, enhance, enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out), fudge, hedge, overdo, overdraw, overemphasize, overplay, overstate, emphasize, play up, stress, caricature, satirize
    near: belittle, minimize, play down, understate

  2. to describe or express in too strong terms

    "it would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of this entrance exam"

    similar: overdo, overdraw, overstate, put on
    related: color, elaborate, embellish, embroider, magnify, pad, play up, stretch, fudge, hedge, melodramatize, overemphasize, overplay, sensationalize
    opposite: understate
    near: belittle, minimize, play down

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Exaggerate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Exaggerate:

color, elaborate (on), embellish, embroider, hyperbolize, magnify, pad, stretch, overdo, overdraw, overstate, put on

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Exaggerate

Words with the opposite meaning of Exaggerate:

understate

Related Words for Exaggerate

dress up, gussy up, amplify, enhance, enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out), fudge, hedge, overemphasize, overplay, emphasize, play up, stress, caricature, satirize, elaborate, melodramatize, sensationalize

Near Antonyms of Exaggerate

belittle, minimize, play down

Word Forms of Exaggerate

Inflections: exaggerated, exaggerating

Derived words: exaggerative (adjective), exaggerator (noun), exaggeratory (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Exaggerate

borrowed from Latin exaggerātus, past participle of exaggerāre "to heap up, construct by piling up, increase in significance," from ex- ex-:1 + aggerāre "to heap up over, form into a heap," verbal derivative of agger "rubble, earthwork, rampart, dam," noun derivative of aggerere "to bring, carry (to or up), push close up (against)," from ag- ag- + gerere "to carry, bring" jest:1

First known use: 1613t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Exaggerate

Frequently Asked Questions about Exaggerate

What does "Exaggerate" mean?

"Exaggerate" means to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth, overstate. As a verb, it is defined as: to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth, overstate. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Exaggerate"?

Other words for "Exaggerate" include color, elaborate (on), embellish, embroider, hyperbolize, magnify, pad and stretch. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Exaggerate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Exaggerate"?

There are 31 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Exaggerate". Common alternatives include color, elaborate (on), embellish, embroider, hyperbolize, magnify, pad, stretch, overdo and overdraw.

What is the opposite of "Exaggerate"?

Antonyms of "Exaggerate" include understate. Near antonyms include belittle, minimize and play down.

How do you use "Exaggerate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Exaggerate" in a sentence: "the American colonist John Smith is believed by many historians to have exaggerated his adventures"; "it would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of this entrance exam".

Is "Exaggerate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Exaggerate" is a verb.

Is "Exaggerate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Exaggerate" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Exaggerate"?

"Exaggerate" is pronounced /ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrāt/ and divided into syllables as ex·ag·ger·ate.