1
as in padding
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 overstating
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 exaggerating
Analysts note that the Russia Defense ministry has a habit of exaggerating advances when the frontlines are scarcely changing.
—
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Bosco’s attorneys argue Shaw was exaggerating the situation.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
One expert, however, testified for prosecutors that the defendant was malingering, or exaggerating his psychiatric issues and was not legally insane at the time.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
The deadpan one-liners exaggerating his strength, speed and toughness to absurd levels, turned Norris into one of the internet’s first global memes.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
And nobody in that moment was performing or exaggerating.
—Daniela Tijerina, Vanity Fair, 20 Mar. 2026
Sokolov also wields a much shorter lens, warping and exaggerating space with each swinging motion, while his cast moves in almost dance-like fashion.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Christopher Carnahan, a Los Angeles police officer who was accused of skydiving and working out while also collecting disability benefits by exaggerating an on-duty work injury, was charged with two counts of felony insurance fraud, prosecutors said.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
Historically, some doctors have dismissed these differences as women exaggerating their pain or being unable to tolerate the same discomfort as men.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Bosco’s attorneys argue Shaw was exaggerating the situation.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
One expert, however, testified for prosecutors that the defendant was malingering, or exaggerating his psychiatric issues and was not legally insane at the time.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
The deadpan one-liners exaggerating his strength, speed and toughness to absurd levels, turned Norris into one of the internet’s first global memes.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
And nobody in that moment was performing or exaggerating.
—Daniela Tijerina, Vanity Fair, 20 Mar. 2026
Sokolov also wields a much shorter lens, warping and exaggerating space with each swinging motion, while his cast moves in almost dance-like fashion.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Christopher Carnahan, a Los Angeles police officer who was accused of skydiving and working out while also collecting disability benefits by exaggerating an on-duty work injury, was charged with two counts of felony insurance fraud, prosecutors said.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
Historically, some doctors have dismissed these differences as women exaggerating their pain or being unable to tolerate the same discomfort as men.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerating
Verb
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea in a bid to lower oil prices – which might mean padding the war chest of a US enemy.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
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Egyptian immigrants Azzam and Samra Ahmed are padding their savings by performing for bots in their one-bedroom apartment in Pasadena.—
NILESH CHRISTOPHER LOS ANGELES TIMES,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, overstating job requirements carries its own risks.—
Sam Stevenson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The episode’s biggest error is overstating human performance compared to technological outcomes.—
Robert Pearl,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The shop offers a full menu of services, including men's and children's haircuts, beard trims, lineups, shampooing, and hair coloring.—
Justin Adams,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The most common culprits include chemical treatments and exposure (think blow-drying, heat-styling, perming, keratin treatments, bleaching, and all types of hair coloring), drying or stripping hair products, and infrequent haircuts.—
Danielle Sinay,
Glamour,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But Jevons wasn’t overdoing it.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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Fortunately, there’s little danger of overdoing it on vitamin D from food alone.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Applications will load faster and files will be easier to move, enhancing your workspeed.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Brine, a mixture of water and salt, proved effective at inhibiting spoilage while enhancing the flavor of food.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Trolley lines move across the city, stretching as far West as the Darby Transit Center and back East toward 13th street.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
At Fourth and Bainbridge streets in the Queen Village neighborhood, drivers are slowing, stopping and swerving to avoid two large potholes stretching across the roadway.—
Ross DiMattei,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gauthier was hyperbolizing, but his statement looked true Monday.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Major insulin makers Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk also have moved to cut the cost of insulin, with different combinations of cutting list prices, capping out-of-pocket costs and expanding affordability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The golden arches is expanding its McValue offerings with an under $3 menu and a $4 breakfast meal deal starting on April 21.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerating. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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