Definition of exaggerate

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< exactly

exahertz >

ex·ag·ger·ate    (g-zj-rt) KEY 

VERB:
ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing, ex·ag·ger·ates
VERB:
tr.

1. To represent as greater than is actually the case; overstate: exaggerate the size of the enemy force; exaggerated his own role in the episode.
2. To enlarge or increase to an abnormal degree: thick lenses that exaggerated the size of her eyes.

VERB:
intr.

To make overstatements.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Latin exaggerre, exaggert-, to heap up, magnify : ex-, intensive pref. ; see ex- + aggerre, to pile up (from agger, pile, from aggerere, to bring to : ad-, ad- + gerere, to bring)

OTHER FORMS:
ex·agger·ated·ly(Adverb), ex·agger·ation(Noun), ex·agger·ative or ex·agger·a·tory  (--tôr, -tr) KEY (Adjective), ex·agger·ator(Noun)

SYNONYMS:
exaggerate, inflate, magnify, overstate

These verbs mean to represent something as being larger or greater than it actually is: exaggerated the size of the fish I caught; inflated his own importance; magnifying her part in their success; overstated his income on the loan application.
Antonym: minimize