exaggerate Definition
- 1to make something seem larger, more important, better, or worse than it really is
- 2to overstate
Using exaggerate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "exaggerate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He tends to exaggerate his accomplishments.
Example
She exaggerated the size of the fish she caught.
Example
Don't exaggerate! It wasn't that bad!
Example
The media exaggerated the impact of the storm.
exaggerate Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using exaggerate
to exaggerate a minor problem and make it seem much more serious than it really is
Example
He always makes a mountain out of a molehill and overreacts to small issues.
to exaggerate the importance or seriousness of something
Example
The media blew the story out of proportion and caused unnecessary panic.
Example
He tends to stretch the truth when telling stories to make them more interesting.
Phrases with exaggerate
exaggerated claims
statements that are made to seem more important or impressive than they really are
Example
The company's exaggerated claims about its product were quickly exposed.
exaggerated sense of self-importance
an inflated view of one's own importance or abilities
Example
His exaggerated sense of self-importance made it difficult for him to work well with others.
exaggerated response
a reaction that is more extreme than is appropriate or necessary
Example
Her exaggerated response to the situation made everyone uncomfortable.
Origins of exaggerate
from Latin 'exaggerare', meaning 'to magnify'
Summary: exaggerate in Brief
To 'exaggerate' [ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt] means to make something seem larger, more important, better, or worse than it really is. It is often used in contexts where people overstate their accomplishments or the severity of a situation, as in 'Don't exaggerate! It wasn't that bad!' The phrase 'make a mountain out of a molehill' is an idiom that describes this tendency to overreact to minor problems.
