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exaggerate

verb C1 Formal

Meaning

To exaggerate is to represent a situation, characteristic, or emotion as being more significant, intense, or extreme than it actually is, often for the purpose of emphasis or to elicit a particular response from an audience. This term implies a distortion
💡 While exaggeration can be employed for rhetorical effect, it is crucial to be mindful of context, as excessive exaggeration may lead to skepticism or diminish the impact of genuine claims.

Example Sentences

It is easy to exaggerate the importance of small details in reports .
It is unwise to exaggerate profits in financial reports .
It is unwise to exaggerate the importance of minor details .
Researchers should not exaggerate findings to maintain scientific integrity .

Word in Context

Anna paused before she described the climb , conscious that she might exaggerate the steepness to make her story more engaging . Her friends listened as she added small details about loose stones and a sudden rain shower , though the actual route had been fairly manageable . She sometimes insisted that the final ridge felt like an almost vertical wall , but when they later checked the map the incline seemed modest . Despite these discrepancies , everyone appreciated the vivid narrative because it captured the sense of achievement at the summit . Afterwards they joked about how memory can magnify minor difficulties , and the group agreed to plan another gentle hike next weekend .

Common Phrases

exaggerate the importance of exaggerate the effects of exaggerate one's achievements

Synonyms

Antonyms

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