exaggerating

verb

present participle of exaggerate
1
as in padding
to add to the interest of by including made-up details the American colonist John Smith is believed by many historians to have exaggerated his adventures

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overstating
to describe or express in too strong terms it would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of this entrance exam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exaggerating The financial affiliations have prompted speculation, especially through strands of the Iranian diaspora, who accuse some of its journalists of exaggerating the level of support for figures in the opposition and of advocating for war. — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026 Thomas cautioned against exaggerating the power of AI agents, however. — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026 Washington has a history of exaggerating the competitive threat from rivals, whether that was the Soviet Union or Japan. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Kennedy has also sought to personally reform the agency’s vaccine policy, firing all 17 of its vaccine advisers and replacing them with his own picks, many of whom have questioned the benefit of vaccines while exaggerating their harms. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 Ng countered, arguing AI redefines job tasks rather than eliminating roles, and accused large companies of exaggerating threats to stifle competition, advocating for open models to prevent gatekeeping. — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 This year’s Tour de France Femmes has been rocked by allegations that some riders are artificially exaggerating their bust size to gain an aerodynamic advantage. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 4 Aug. 2026 Goldman says Lander is exaggerating the gulf between them. — Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026 Some may suspect the president is exaggerating. — Drew Endy, Washington Post, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exaggerating
  1. padding
  2. overstating
  3. coloring
  4. overdoing
  5. enhancing
  6. stretching
  7. hyperbolizing
  8. expanding
Verb
  • Several women’s World Tour teams have raised concerns that cyclists on rival teams are padding their sports bras to give them a boost in time trials, according to leading Dutch cycling news site, WielerFlits.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Aug. 2026
  • After getting some quick sniffs in and padding around the yard for a while, Jimothy retreated into the bushes surrounding the yard.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of padding
Verb
  • Deloitte pins the unimagined cascade effect at an additional $541 billion and did not add it to the final estimate to avoid overstating the size of the lunar economy.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Instead of overstating products, some organizations are using AI to explain internal decisions, like workforce reductions, budget cuts, restructuring and efficiency initiatives.
    — Raoul Davis, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of overstating
Verb
  • In addition to card games that take up little storage space, think about adding coloring books and markers or crayons to your storm shelter game collection.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Color-code by person, not event Instead of coloring all sports green and all school events blue, assign one unique color to each member of the family.
    — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of coloring
Verb
  • But Montgomery cautions against overdoing it with vinegar as a weed control method.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 22 Aug. 2026
  • From two-tone cardigans for dinner and straw hats for family beach days to her signature breezy button-downs, Markle’s getaway style is a master class in looking polished without overdoing it.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of overdoing
Verb
  • The monthly books are chosen by a committee through the Dollywood Foundation with the goal of enhancing early childhood education.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The organization works to champion aspiring and established storytellers by providing events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation and encouraging community partnerships.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of enhancing
Verb
  • The seasonal calendar is stretching earlier, chains are competing to own the first sip of autumn, and customers are voting with their orders.
    — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Once owned by an heir to the Getty oil fortune, a full-floor penthouse atop San Francisco’s Russian Hill with wraparound terraces and views stretching from the Golden Gate Bridge to the downtown skyline is on the market for nearly $20 million.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of stretching
Verb
  • Gauthier was hyperbolizing, but his statement looked true Monday.
    — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of hyperbolizing
Verb
  • Axel Springer is expanding in the Middle East, joining a growing number of Western publishers with an editorial presence in the region — and testing a key pillar of its editorial beliefs.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Mamdani’s signature 2-K program is scheduled to launch this fall with 2,000 students in select school districts, with the goal of expanding citywide over four years.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of expanding

Browse Nearby Words

exaggerates
exaggerating
exaggeration
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Cite this Entry

“Exaggerating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exaggerating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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