Exaggerate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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exaggerate

[ɪɡˈzædʒəˌreɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in storytelling

To exaggerate means to represent something as being larger, better, worse, or more extreme than it really is. It involves embellishing or overstating the truth for dramatic effect.

Synonyms

amplify, embellish, magnify, overstate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
exaggerate	Used when someone describes something as better, worse, more important, or more successful than it actually is. Often has a negative connotation. He tends to exaggerate his achievements to impress others. The media sometimes exaggerates the facts to catch the audience's attention.
overstate	Used when someone expresses or describes something in a way that makes it seem more significant than it really is. Typically viewed negatively. He overstates his role in the project. The advertisement overstated the benefits of the product.
embellish	Often used when adding decorative details but can also mean adding fictitious details to a story for effect. This can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation. She likes to embellish her home with beautiful plants and paintings. He embellished the story of his holiday with made-up adventures.
magnify	Usually used to describe making something appear larger than it is, often with lenses or scientific instruments. It can also metaphorically mean to make something seem more important or serious. The microscope can magnify tiny objects up to 1000 times. She tends to magnify her troubles, making them seem worse than they are.
amplify	Commonly used in a technical or literal sense, particularly with sound or signals, but can also mean to explain something in greater detail. The musician used a speaker to amplify his guitar sounds. She asked him to amplify his argument during the meeting.

Examples of usage

She always exaggerates her accomplishments when telling stories.
He tends to exaggerate the size of the fish he caught.
Don't exaggerate the danger of the situation.
The comedian exaggerated the character's quirks for comic effect.
The news report exaggerated the impact of the storm.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

in behavior

To exaggerate can also mean to overdo or overemphasize a particular behavior or characteristic, often to the point of being excessive or unreasonable.

Synonyms

hyperbolize, overdo, overemphasize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
exaggerate	Used when someone makes something seem bigger, better, or more important than it really is. Often used in everyday speech or writing to indicate that someone is stretching the truth without necessarily lying. He tends to exaggerate his achievements to make himself look better. Saying the movie was the worst ever is a bit of an exaggeration.
overdo	Used in situations where one puts too much effort or emphasis into an action, often leading to an undesirable effect. Can have a slightly negative connotation if implying excessiveness. She overdid it with the spices, and now the dish is too hot. You don't need to overdo the decorations; sometimes less is more.
overemphasize	Can be used when someone places too much importance on a particular aspect or detail, often leading to a skewed perspective. This can be negative as it suggests a lack of balance. Teachers should not overemphasize test scores as the sole measure of student success. The media tends to overemphasize sensational news stories.
hyperbolize	Typically used in formal contexts such as literature or rhetoric, meaning to intentionally make something sound much larger or more extreme than it actually is. It often implies a deliberate use of exaggeration for effect. The poet tended to hyperbolize the emotions in his work. It's common to hyperbolize in political speeches to sway public opinion.

Examples of usage

She tends to exaggerate her reactions to minor inconveniences.
Don't exaggerate your emotions just to get attention.
He always exaggerates his concern for others to appear more compassionate.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

In storytelling, exaggeration is a common technique used in humorous cartoons and comic strips to create funny situations.
Reality TV often exaggerates events to heighten drama and keep viewers engaged.
Many comedians utilize the concept of exaggeration to amplify the humor in their routines.

Psychology

People might exaggerate to seek attention or make their experiences seem more significant.
Exaggeration can sometimes be a defense mechanism to cope with feelings of inadequacy.
Cognitive biases can lead individuals to distort reality, making events seem more dramatic than they occurred.

Literature

Satirical writers often exaggerate characteristics of people or society to criticize or highlight absurdities.
In fairy tales, exaggeration is used to create larger-than-life characters, such as giants or magical beings.
Authors like Mark Twain and James Thurber used exaggeration in their storytelling to draw humor from ordinary situations.

Rhetoric

Exaggeration is a powerful rhetorical device, often used to persuade or emphasize a point in speechmaking.
Hyperbole, a type of exaggeration, is commonly found in poetry to evoke strong emotions.
In advertising, exaggeration captures attention and can create strong brand imagery by highlighting benefits in an exaggerated manner.

Origin of 'exaggerate'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin word 'exaggerare', meaning 'to heap up' or 'to increase'.
It has been used in English since the 16th century, originally referring to measuring things inaccurately.
Over time, its meaning evolved to include the act of overstating or magnifying truths.

The word 'exaggerate' comes from the Latin word 'exaggeratus', meaning 'increased'. It first appeared in English in the 16th century. The concept of exaggeration has been present in storytelling and communication throughout history, often used for emphasis, humor, or to make a point more memorable.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,244, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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15241 associating
15242 rapport
15243 inoperative
15244 exaggerate
15245 onerous
15246 indiscriminately
15247 transpired
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