exaggerate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to regard or represent as larger or greater, more important or more successful, etc, than is true
-
(tr) to make greater, more noticeable, etc, than usual
his new clothes exaggerated his awkwardness
Other Word Forms
- exaggeratingly adverb
- exaggeration noun
- exaggerative adjective
- exaggerator noun
- nonexaggerating adjective
- overexaggerate verb
- unexaggerating adjective
Etymology
Origin of exaggerate
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
AllHere had client school districts in different parts of the country, but authorities later alleged that AllHere exaggerated its business success.
From Los Angeles Times
Flooding can trigger sewage releases into rivers and estuaries, threatening wildlife with disease and toxic water, "exaggerating the number of wildlife death events".
From BBC
However, four former Drone to Home volunteers claimed to the BBC the charity had been exaggerating how many dogs it reunited with owners.
From BBC
She and the crew are enjoying the exaggerated story.
From BBC
But some analysts have suggested the immediate threat to jobs has been exaggerated by executives who want to appear ahead of the curve.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
