exaggerate

verb

ex·​ag·​ger·​ate ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
exaggerated; exaggerating
Synonyms of exaggerate

transitive verb

1
: to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth : overstate
A friend exaggerates a man's virtues …—Joseph Addison
2
: to enlarge or increase especially beyond the normal : overemphasize

intransitive verb

: to make an overstatement
exaggerative
ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrā-tiv How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
-ˈzaj-rə-tiv, 
-ˈza-jə-rə-tiv
adjective
exaggerator
ig-ˈza-jə-ˌrā-tər How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
noun
exaggeratory
ig-ˈzaj-rə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
-ˈza-jə-
adjective

Synonyms of exaggerate

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But this flattening of distance is exaggerated on the road, because the reach of a car extends far beyond that which can be done on foot. — Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026 The attack ads that exaggerate and lie about their opponents, without mentioning their myopic support for their dear leader whose baggage has destroyed America’s standing in the world, are astounding. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026 Raad found images on Reddit posted by braggadocious soldiers from around the world, and then exaggerated the size and changed the color of their inscriptions. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 But to imply that a world-class athlete is exaggerating an injury to preserve his reputation is a staggering lapse in judgment. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exaggerate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin exaggerātus, past participle of exaggerāre "to heap up, construct by piling up, increase in significance," from ex- ex- entry 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" — more at jest entry 1

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exaggerate was in 1613

Rhymes for exaggerate

See All Rhymes for exaggerate

Browse Nearby Words

ex Africa semper aliquid novi
exaggerate
exaggerated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exaggerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exaggerate. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

exaggerate

verb
ex·​ag·​ger·​ate ig-ˈzaj-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
exaggerated; exaggerating
: to enlarge a fact or statement beyond what is actual or true
exaggeratedly
-ˌrāt-əd-lē
adverb
exaggeratedness
-nəs
noun
exaggeration
-ˌzaj-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
noun
exaggerator
-ˈzaj-ə-ˌrāt-ər How to pronounce exaggerate (audio)
noun
Etymology

from Latin exaggeratus "exaggerate," from exaggerare, literally, "to heap up"

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