Word
exaggerate
Meanings
To describe or represent something as greater, worse, or more extreme than it really is.
To make a feature, difference, or effect seem stronger or more noticeable than it truly is.
Definition
To exaggerate is to describe something as bigger, better, worse, or more important than it really is.
To exaggerate means to overstate the size, importance, quality, or seriousness of something. People may exaggerate intentionally to persuade or entertain, or unintentionally when they are emotional. It often makes a story or claim sound less reliable. In careful writing and formal speaking, it is usually better to avoid exaggerating and use precise evidence instead.
Examples
- I didn’t mean to exaggerate, but the delay felt endless after a long day of travel.
- You sometimes exaggerate your workload, and it makes planning the project harder for everyone.
- He tends to exaggerate the risks to justify moving slowly, even when the data look stable.
- She refused to exaggerate her achievements and focused on what she could actually demonstrate.
- They exaggerate small disagreements until the whole team starts feeling tense.
Common mistake
Learners often use "exaggerate" when they mean "overreact" (emotional response) rather than overstating facts or details.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.