exaggerate
To represent something as greater or more important than it really is
Examples
In a meeting
“Be careful not to exaggerate the potential returns to investors.”
Over coffee
“You always exaggerate how long it takes to get there—it's only 10 minutes!”
Why this word
overstate
Exaggerate implies making something seem larger or more extreme than reality, often dramatically; overstate is more neutral and formal, simply meaning to express too strongly
embellish
Embellish suggests adding decorative details (possibly fictional); exaggerate specifically means inflating the magnitude or importance of something that exists
amplify
Amplify means to increase volume or intensity without necessarily distorting truth; exaggerate explicitly involves misrepresenting reality by making it seem bigger
Usage tip
Use when someone is overstating facts or making things seem more extreme; can be intentional or unintentional
Etymology
Latin exaggerare (to heap up), from ex- (thoroughly) + aggerare (to pile up)
Get a new word every morning
One precise word per day. Under 60 seconds to read. Free forever.
Related words
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion
concise
Giving a lot of information clearly in few words.
ambiguous
Open to more than one interpretation; not clear or decided.
convey
To communicate or make an idea, feeling, or meaning known.
reiterate
To say something again for emphasis or clarity.
paraphrase
To restate something in different words to make it clearer or shorter.