grossly exaggerated

USAGE SUMMARY

"grossly exaggerated" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that something has been described or portrayed with exaggeration to the point of being extreme or extreme in a negative way. Example: The news article about the celebrity's personal life was grossly exaggerated, causing widespread outrage and backlash.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Britain's astronomers grossly exaggerated Adams's contribution.

The Guardian

The reporting of Fedex was grossly exaggerated.

The Guardian

That the statements were grossly exaggerated was a foregone conclusion.

The New York Times

Wasn't this proof Nigerian poverty is grossly exaggerated?

The Guardian - Opinion

Analysts say Musharraf has grossly exaggerated his political pulling power.

The Guardian

The effects of radioactive fallout, he argued, were grossly exaggerated.

The New York Times - Books

Stories are grossly exaggerated and distorted as they are passed from person to person.

The New Yorker

It shows previous estimates of the extent of surviving coral-reefs have been grossly exaggerated.

The Economist

Critics, she said, have grossly exaggerated the significance of changes in the report.

The New York Times

But an aide to General Powell said the figure was grossly exaggerated.

The New York Times

The government suggests that the death toll reported by the foreign media "may be grossly exaggerated".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grossly exaggerated", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the original, non-exaggerated state or fact is, allowing the reader to understand the extent of the exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "grossly exaggerated" when a simple overestimation or slight embellishment is meant. The term implies a significant and often blatant departure from the truth, not just a minor adjustment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grossly exaggerated" functions as an intensifying modifier, specifically indicating the extent to which something has been overstated. It amplifies the adjective "exaggerated", signaling a significant departure from the truth. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grossly exaggerated" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe claims or statements that are significantly overstated. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to express skepticism or disbelief, often appearing in News & Media contexts. To ensure effective writing, remember that it implies a considerable departure from the truth, not just minor embellishment. For alternative expressions, consider options such as "highly overstated" or "wildly inflated". Be sure that the original, non-exaggerated state is clear in the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly overstated

Replaces "exaggerated" with "overstated" and "grossly" with "highly", maintaining the intensity of the exaggeration.

wildly inflated

Uses "inflated" to convey the exaggeration, suggesting an increase in size or importance beyond what's justified, and "wildly" to amplify it.

severely distorted

Emphasizes that something is twisted or misrepresented to a great extent, similar to exaggeration but with a negative connotation.

majorly embellished

Suggests that details have been added to make something more attractive or interesting, but to an excessive degree.

greatly magnified

Focuses on the amplification aspect of exaggeration, indicating that something has been made to appear much larger or more significant.

vastly amplified

Similar to "greatly magnified" but uses "vastly" to suggest a greater degree of amplification.

patently false

Indicates that something is obviously untrue, going beyond simple exaggeration to outright falsehood.

blatantly amplified

Uses "blatantly" to indicate that the exaggeration is obvious and unashamed.

egregiously misrepresented

Highlights the misrepresentation aspect, indicating that something has been portrayed inaccurately in a shocking or offensive way.

outlandishly amplified

Conveys a sense of extreme and bizarre exaggeration.

FAQs

How can I use "grossly exaggerated" in a sentence?

You can use "grossly exaggerated" to describe claims, reports, or descriptions that are significantly overstated or misrepresented. For example: "The media's portrayal of the event was "grossly exaggerated", creating unnecessary panic."

What are some alternatives to "grossly exaggerated"?

Some alternatives to "grossly exaggerated" include "highly overstated", "wildly inflated", or "severely distorted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "grossly exaggerated" in formal writing?

Yes, "grossly exaggerated" can be used in formal writing, particularly when analyzing or criticizing claims or statements. However, ensure the tone remains objective and avoid overly emotional language.

What is the difference between "exaggerated" and "grossly exaggerated"?

"Exaggerated" simply means that something is overstated, while ""grossly exaggerated"" implies a much larger degree of overstatement. "Grossly" emphasizes that the exaggeration is extreme, potentially to the point of being misleading or deceptive.