To exaggeratedescribe or present something as larger, worse, or more important than it is means to make something seem bigger, more extremefar beyond what is usual, normal, or reasonable, or more important than it really is. It can also mean doing something to an excessivemore than is necessary, acceptable, or reasonable degree.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ɪɡˈzædʒəˌreɪt/
Easy pronunciation: ig-ZAJ-uh-rayt (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable, ZAJ.
Used here in the sense of making something seem larger, more important, or more extreme than it really is.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Exaggerate Meaning
to make a statement or situation sound stronger than it is
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to make something seem larger, more important, or more extreme than it really is
Example: She exaggerated how busy she was to avoid taking on more work.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- overstate — A close everyday substitute when the point is saying something is more serious or larger than it is.
- magnify — Works when the focus is making a problem, quality, or detail seem bigger.
- overdraw — Fits when describing a description or portrayal that goes too far.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Exaggerate
Meaning 2
to do too much of something
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to do something to an excessive degree
Example: You’re exaggerating if you keep checking your phone every minute.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- overdo — A strong match for doing something too much or to excess.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Exaggerate Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- overstate
- magnify
- overdraw
do something to an excessive degree
- overdo
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use exaggerate to mean 'lie,' but exaggeration is not always a full lie.
- Do not confuse exaggerate with amplify when amplify means to increase volume or strengthen something rather than overstate it.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does exaggerate mean?
Exaggerate means to make something seem bigger, stronger, or more important than it really is, or to do something to an excessive degree.
What is a simple synonym for exaggerate?
Overstate is one of the clearest everyday synonyms when exaggerate means making something seem larger or more serious than it is.
Is exaggerate always the same as lie?
No. Exaggerating often means stretching the truth, but it does not always mean inventing something completely false.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
