exaggerate
7 synonyms and 1 antonym for exaggerate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make something sound bigger, worse, or more dramatic than it really is.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use exaggerate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
exaggerate a claim
tend to exaggerate
wildly exaggerate
Etymology
From Latin exaggerare, "to heap up" or "pile high" — from ex- ("out, up") + aggerare ("to heap"), from agger ("a mound").
Full origin of exaggerate →Frequently asked questions
What does “exaggerate” mean?
The word “exaggerate” means to make something sound bigger, worse, or more dramatic than it really is. In plain terms, to stretch the truth by making something seem bigger or more extreme than it is.
How do you pronounce “exaggerate”?
“Exaggerate” is pronounced ehg-ZAJ-uh-rayt (/ɛɡˈzæd͡ʒ.ə.ɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “exaggerate” in a sentence?
Here is “exaggerate” used in a sentence: “He exaggerated how long the queue was, just to make a point.”
What is the opposite of “exaggerate”?
The opposite of “exaggerate” — its antonyms — is trivialize.
What part of speech is “exaggerate”?
“Exaggerate” is a verb.
Where does the word “exaggerate” come from?
The word “exaggerate” comes from Latin. From Latin exaggerare, "to heap up" or "pile high" — from ex- ("out, up") + aggerare ("to heap"), from agger ("a mound").
Is “exaggerate” a common word?
“Exaggerate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
