exaggerate — to make something seem larger, better, worse or more important than it really is
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to make something seem larger, better, worse or more important than it really is
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt/
Example Sentences
- My dad always exaggerates his fishing stories - the fish get bigger every time!
- She tends to exaggerate her problems to get attention.
- Don't exaggerate your experience on your resume - they'll find out during the interview!
exaggerate
VERB[/ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt/]
to make something seem larger, better, worse or more important than it really is

Fishermen exaggerate the size of their catch with absurdly wide arm gestures.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'exaggeratus', the past participle of 'exaggerare', which combines 'ex-' (out) and 'aggerare' (to heap up, from 'agger' meaning heap or mound).
Breakdown
ex- (out) + agger (heap) + -ate (verb suffix) = exaggerate (to heap up/pile on, figuratively to amplify or overstate)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My dad always exaggerates his fishing stories - the fish get bigger every time!”
“She tends to exaggerate her problems to get attention.”
“Don't exaggerate your experience on your resume - they'll find out during the interview!”
“The news media often exaggerate minor incidents to create sensational headlines.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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