exaggerate

USAGE SUMMARY

'exaggerate' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb which means to represent something as being larger, better, or worse than it really is. For example: "The movie was good, but the critics exaggerated its greatness in their reviews."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only a prude would expect their politicians not to exaggerate.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is increasingly concerning that Tory ministers seek to exaggerate the potential benefits of shale and dismiss genuine and legitimate concerns.

The Guardian

Hugh Quarshie's long-suffering character has seen and suffered so much since he joined the soap in 2001 that he feels like the personification of the best of the NHS: wearily irritable, still just about hanging on despite 25 government-initiated reorganizations (I exaggerate, but not much), still good at his job and still trying to be selfless - against the odds.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Pre-registering scientific articles in this way helps to protect against a number of undesirable practices (such as p-hacking and HARKing) that can exaggerate statistical findings and make non-existent effects seem real.

The Guardian

Assuming the Queen is, really, one of us, she will want to do more than replace Caro with the – I hope I do not exaggerate – 9th woman OM, ever, and make more generous reparation to the scorned.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nor does Miliband exaggerate when he defines today's choice as a Tory government for the rich or a Labour government for working people.

The Guardian - Opinion

You don't want to exaggerate the differences.

The Guardian

PD Top targets Toby Alderweireld (Atlético Madrid, £7m), Idrissa Gueye (Lille, £7m), Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord, £12m) May end up with Some relatively unknown gem from the Dutch league Transfer kitty Around £30m, plus income from sales Already signed None The outgoing Dick Advocaat did not exaggerate when he said Sunderland required six new quality players this summer.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is difficult to exaggerate how important it is to get the portrayal of indigenous Australians right," he told the Independent.

The Guardian

There's no doubt there are cases of FGM in this country – and even one is too many – but in our horror over the practice we must resist the urge to potentially exaggerate its scale.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ipsos Mori executives had also briefed Whitehall that the last Quebec independence referendum suggested that polling figures could exaggerate support for yes – Ipsos Mori staff in Canada had advised their UK colleagues to assume that on polling day, undecided voters would break two to one for no; that had been the experience in Quebec, where the polls had over-estimated the pro-independence vote.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "exaggerate", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the factual basis is, to avoid misleading your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "exaggerate" when you simply mean to emphasize a point. "Exaggerate" implies a deviation from the truth, not just highlighting importance.

Linguistic Context

The verb "exaggerate" functions primarily to express the act of representing something as being more significant than it actually is. Ludwig confirms that this verb is commonly used to describe overstatements or over-the-top descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exaggerate" is a frequently used verb that describes the act of overstating something beyond its true proportions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, from news reporting to everyday conversation. While common, it's important to use this term accurately, ensuring the context warrants the implication of deviation from truth rather than simple emphasis. Consider alternatives like "overstate" or "amplify" for nuanced expression. The frequent use of "exaggerate" in both formal and informal settings underscores its versatility and importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overstate

Focuses on stating something more strongly than the actual case.

magnify

Implies making something appear larger or more significant than it is.

amplify

Similar to magnify, but often used in the context of sound or effects.

overdraw

Suggests exceeding reasonable limits in depiction or description.

overemphasize

Places excessive importance on a particular aspect.

embellish

Adds decorative details that may not be entirely factual.

inflate

Suggests an artificial increase in size or importance.

stretch the truth

An idiomatic phrase for bending facts.

color the facts

Implies presenting facts with a specific bias.

aggrandize

Enhances the reputation or power, often unduly.

FAQs

How to use "exaggerate" in a sentence?

You can use "exaggerate" to describe the act of overstating something, such as, "The news report tended to "exaggerate" the dangers of the situation."

What can I say instead of "exaggerate"?

You can use alternatives like "overstate", "magnify", or "amplify" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "exaggerate" or "overexaggerate"?

"Exaggerate" is the correct and commonly used term. "Overexaggerate" is redundant because "exaggerate" already implies exceeding the truth. Avoid using "overexaggerate".

What's the difference between "exaggerate" and "understate"?

"Exaggerate" means to represent something as larger or more significant than it is, while "understate" means to represent something as less significant than it is. They are antonyms.