What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
exaggerate
Example
He always exaggerates his accomplishments to impress others. [exaggerates: verb]
Example
Don't exaggerate the problem; it's not that serious. [exaggerate: imperative verb]
magnify
Example
The microscope magnified the tiny organism, making it visible to the naked eye. [magnified: verb]
Example
Her fear of spiders was magnified by the horror movie she watched last night. [magnified: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Exaggerate is more commonly used in everyday language, while magnify is often used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between exaggerate and magnify?
Both exaggerate and magnify can be used in formal and informal contexts, but magnify is more likely to be used in technical or scientific writing due to its specific meaning.
