exaggerated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'exaggerated' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been described or expressed in an overly dramatic or extreme way. For example, you could say "The exaggerated description of her abilities was unhelpful in our assessment of her performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just a few weeks later, on 29 August, Tesco executives issued their now infamous forecast – the one that exaggerated their likely profits by 25%.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then there are also many people who I think believe, or have persuaded themselves, that climate change is just another fad, exaggerated by scientists who just want more money for their research, or environmentalists who over-react to small threats or are unrealistic about where their bread is buttered.

The Guardian

The virtues of the single market are greatly exaggerated.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have many times pointed out that the degree of mess inherited by the coalition was much exaggerated.

The Guardian - Business

That intimacy ended after the tripartite model of economic management – government, business and unions – fatally hit the buffers in the winter of discontent (the piles of rubbish much exaggerated in The Iron Lady movie) and led to the Thatcher counter-revolution of 1979, which culminated in the defeat of Arthur Scargill's foolhardy strategy for the 1983-84 minerstrikeike.

The Guardian

First of all it was generally agreed that the severity of the crisis had been exaggerated by the English-speaking media, who knew little of France and used the news of the French riots as a distraction from their own problems with immigration and immigrants in their own countries.

The Guardian

Lynas counters that he's unable to defend himself from charges he's exaggerated his role due the illegality of the acts he and his associates were complicit in.

The Guardian

Book now Reports of reading's demise at the hands of the internet are greatly exaggerated.

The Guardian

"These are two things I would much have preferred not to have happened, but in Eastleigh the party turned out in strength because the party thought that this was an important occasion and an occasion to show that, like Mark Twain, rumours of our death are grossly exaggerated," he said.

The Guardian

The bravery that is required to be an NHS midwife in 2015 cannot be exaggerated.

The Guardian

He rejected claims that he had exaggerated the scale of the financial crisis facing Britain to justify massive public spending cuts after the committee's chairman, Conservative MP Andrew Tyrie, suggested his claim that Britain had been "on the brink of bankruptcy" was "a bit over the top".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exaggerated", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the actual, non-exaggerated state or fact is. This provides a contrast and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "exaggerated" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced vocabulary to convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "exaggerated" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is represented as being larger, better, or worse than it actually is. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in various contexts to describe claims, reports, or features.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exaggerated" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that is represented as greater than it actually is. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily to express skepticism or disagreement. It's commonly found in neutral contexts such as news and media, with its precise meaning varying slightly depending on the specific situation. Remember to use "exaggerated" judiciously, ensuring that the context clearly establishes a contrast with the non-exaggerated reality. Alternatives like "overstated", "magnified", and "embellished" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overstated

Implies presenting something as more significant than it is, often in a factual context.

magnified

Suggests making something appear larger or more important, often focusing on amplifying specific aspects.

embellished

Involves adding decorative details or fictional elements to enhance a story or account.

overblown

Indicates something has been inflated to a degree that seems excessive or unwarranted.

amplified

Focuses on increasing the intensity or impact of something, making it seem more significant.

hyped

Emphasizes the use of promotional tactics to create excessive excitement or attention around something.

colored

Indicates that something is influenced, biased, or distorted.

distorted

Suggests twisting something out of its true form or meaning.

stretched

Implies extending something beyond its normal or reasonable limits.

falsified

Indicates something has been deliberately altered to mislead or deceive.

FAQs

How to use "exaggerated" in a sentence?

You can use "exaggerated" to describe claims, features or accounts that are represented as more than what they are. For example, "The reports of damage were "exaggerated"."

What can I say instead of "exaggerated"?

You can use alternatives like "overstated", "magnified", or "embellished" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "exaggerated" or "over-exaggerated"?

"Exaggerated" is already intensive, so using "over-exaggerated" is redundant. Use simply "exaggerated" to correctly convey the meaning.

What's the difference between "exaggerated" and "inflated"?

"Exaggerated" implies a representation beyond reality, while "inflated" suggests an artificial increase in size, importance, or value. Although both can be alternatives, the best choice depends on the specific context.