exaggerate
/ɛɡˈzæ.dʒə.ɹeɪt/ · ex.ag.ger.ate
verb
- To overstate or describe something more than is fact. He said he'd slept with hundreds of girls, but I know he's exaggerating. The real number is about ten.
- To make or represent something as greater or more impressive than it actually is. The politician exaggerated the country's economic growth to make it sound more appealing to voters.
verb (transitive)
- To make or cause something to seem greater or more impressive than it actually is. The artist exaggerated the subject's features to make the portrait more dramatic.
verb (intransitive)
- To overstate or describe something more than is fact, often in a way that is considered dishonest or misleading. The company exaggerated the benefits of their new product to get more customers.
Did you know? The word 'exaggerate' has been used in various forms of literature, including Shakespeare's plays, where it is often used to describe the over-the-top language and actions of characters.