1
as in enhances
to add to the interest of by including made-up details
the American colonist John Smith is believed by many historians to have exaggerated his adventures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overstates
to describe or express in too strong terms
it would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of this entrance exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exaggerates
Dehydration exaggerates creases and makes skin look less supple.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Dehydration exaggerates creases and gives skin a texture that emphasizes lines.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
This percentage is credible for new sales, but the talking point exaggerates the overall share of housing in investors’ hands and who owns them.
—Chris Doody, Houston Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2026
The same prime minister who exaggerates his power is also fine with being portrayed as the patsy of more influential actors.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
Tainy’s Prometheus — is portrayed by Feid, dressed in an oversized leather coat and lit in a manner that exaggerates his grills in an eerie way.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Whether or not The Bitch of Buchenwald did what is reenacted on the show isn’t relevant, because her activities are placed in the context of a comic book that exaggerates history to make a point — just like Monster does.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
Some critics have said that Costa exaggerates Malafaia’s influence.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
The fact that the company exaggerates the job numbers, as well as the true number of states where the plane produces a significant number of jobs does not alter the fact that economic arguments carry a lot of weight in Congressional decisions on weapons procurement.
—William Hartung, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Dehydration exaggerates creases and gives skin a texture that emphasizes lines.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
This percentage is credible for new sales, but the talking point exaggerates the overall share of housing in investors’ hands and who owns them.
—Chris Doody, Houston Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2026
The same prime minister who exaggerates his power is also fine with being portrayed as the patsy of more influential actors.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
Tainy’s Prometheus — is portrayed by Feid, dressed in an oversized leather coat and lit in a manner that exaggerates his grills in an eerie way.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Whether or not The Bitch of Buchenwald did what is reenacted on the show isn’t relevant, because her activities are placed in the context of a comic book that exaggerates history to make a point — just like Monster does.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
Some critics have said that Costa exaggerates Malafaia’s influence.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
The fact that the company exaggerates the job numbers, as well as the true number of states where the plane produces a significant number of jobs does not alter the fact that economic arguments carry a lot of weight in Congressional decisions on weapons procurement.
—William Hartung, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerates
Verb
-
This process enhances nutrient absorption and eases the strain on your digestive system.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
18 May 2026
-
The lower operating pressure reduces mechanical stress and minimizes the risk of containment failure, which enhances the safety profile of the system compared to conventional light-water reactors.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
His reading dramatically overstates what the court actually did.—
Kris Fair,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
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The algorithm, and the economy that supports it, first escalates speech that overstates the emotions that underlie it.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Talk to me a little bit about how Santos’ own experience with addiction and self-harm colors her relationship with Langdon.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Which colors merit entries in the dictionary?—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Alexander’s staging occasionally overdoes the comic exuberance.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
But Maura never overdoes the feisty granny bit.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The move aims to improve traceability and accountability as China’s humanoid robotics industry rapidly expands.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
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Yes—putting metaphorical pen to page is fundamental, but so, too, is nurturing that which expands my literary capacity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Adding the killer’s voice just pads an already too-long book.—
Maren Longbella,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Not to say there aren’t some clunkers, most notably a jokey take-me-out-to-the-ballgame baseball number that pads the second act, but the Flaherty-Ahrens score was and is Ragtime‘s signature achievement.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The work embellishes the landscape with a new pond set in a faux archaeological site, out of which rise a series of clear columns housing soil ecosystems extracted from the grounds.—
Tina Rivers Ryan,
Artforum,
14 May 2026
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The menu at Hop Alley, a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee, is reflective of a cuisine that calls back to certain Chinese classics, but embellishes them with unexpected ingredients and techniques.—
Esther Tseng,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This is where the tension stretches tightest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
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Waterton Lake stretches blue in both directions, with America’s purple mountains rising to the south.—
Shilo Urban,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerates. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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