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Definition of exaggerate

exaggerate

/ɪɡˈzædʒ.ə.reɪt/
ex · ag · ger · ate
Adverb:exaggeratingly
•
Adjective:exaggerative
•
Past Simple:exaggerated
•
Past Participle:exaggerated
•
Present Participle:exaggerating
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exaggerate Lexical Profile

exaggerate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To represent something as being larger, greater, better, or worse than it really is.

Example

"The media tended to exaggerate the severity of the economic downturn."

2

To enlarge or increase a physical feature, characteristic, or effect beyond normal proportions.

Example

"The portrait artist decided to exaggerate the subject's prominent jawline for comedic effect."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for exaggerate
Antonyms
View all antonyms for exaggerate

• Rhymes for exaggerate

• Nearby Words

exactly
exactness
exacum
exaggerate
exaggeratedly
exaggeratedness
exaggeration

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Latin 'exaggerat-', the past participial stem of 'exaggerare' (literally 'to heap up'), formed from 'ex-' (thoroughly) and 'agger' (heap or mound).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Exaggerate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/exaggerate
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