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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exaggerating
Jan Paul van Hecke of the Netherlands has been involved in two scraps already, the latest when he was hit while going for a header and crumbled, perhaps exaggerating a tad, after Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi challenged the header, as well.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
The four-time Olympian was not exaggerating.
—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Goldman says Lander is exaggerating the gulf between them.
—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Some may suspect the president is exaggerating.
—
Drew Endy,
Washington Post,
4 June 2026
The companies, meanwhile, say opportunistic lawyers and public adjusters are playing to fears and driving up costs for everyone by exaggerating the risks and damage.
—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
31 May 2026
Apple just settled a class-action lawsuit for exaggerating the AI capabilities of its newest iPhones.
—
Vitaliy Katsenelson,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
The league decided to introduce postgame flop fines in the 2012-13 season where plays were reviewed after games and those individuals were fined for exaggerating contact.
—
Jon Root Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Flopping is exaggerating contact that’s already there.
—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
The four-time Olympian was not exaggerating.
—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Goldman says Lander is exaggerating the gulf between them.
—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Some may suspect the president is exaggerating.
—
Drew Endy,
Washington Post,
4 June 2026
The companies, meanwhile, say opportunistic lawyers and public adjusters are playing to fears and driving up costs for everyone by exaggerating the risks and damage.
—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
31 May 2026
Apple just settled a class-action lawsuit for exaggerating the AI capabilities of its newest iPhones.
—
Vitaliy Katsenelson,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
The league decided to introduce postgame flop fines in the 2012-13 season where plays were reviewed after games and those individuals were fined for exaggerating contact.
—
Jon Root Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Flopping is exaggerating contact that’s already there.
—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerating
Verb
-
The professors were bitter and angry—angry at a university, a state, and a country where their fields of study were regarded as obsolete, useful only for padding the schedules of STEM students or as a backstop for STEM burnouts.
-
Perhaps this isn’t new—Star Wars has been taking small moments from the original trilogy and padding them out for decades now—almost everything seen on screen in those first three films has been resurrected, fleshed out with backstories and unnecessary details.
Verb
-
This is not overstating a point for dramatic effect.
-
That may have been overstating things, but not by very much.
Verb
-
Knoxville’s shock of white hair, a result of him stopping coloring it during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, kept reminding us that these were humans.
-
The first showed him walking hand-in-hand with his sons, and the second showed Jack crouched down in a church pew as one of his sons played with toys, surrounded by coloring books and stickers.
Verb
-
Have fun walking up and running down the dunes with your pup, but be mindful of the heat and elevation to avoid overdoing it.
-
These thoughtful investments during Amazon Prime Day will spread your dollar further, so take advantage of the deals below without overdoing it.
Verb
-
This approach is crucial for mitigating downsides and enhancing the benefits of AI for societal mental well-being.
-
In addition to its instant, complexion-enhancing tint, the formula contains skin care ingredients lauded for their smoothing, quenching properties.
Verb
-
Since then, the United States has expanded from 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast to 50 states stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific and beyond.
-
There are brisk 7am forest walks, group yoga, breath work, and a class on Lanserhof healing exercises, which combine stretching, tapping, and movement.
Verb
-
Gauthier was hyperbolizing, but his statement looked true Monday.
Verb
-
Your 12th House of Rest and Reflection opens wider as Jupiter arrives, expanding your inner world and asking for generous rest that renews focus.
-
This diverse, global podcast journalism is vital for informing creators, advertisers, and the expanding audience, reflecting podcasting's evolving identity and widespread appeal.
Cite this Entry
“Exaggerating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerating. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
