Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of representing something as larger, better, worse, or more important than it actually is: A statement or description that makes something seem more significant or extreme than the truth.
   • A statement that is an instance of this act: An overstated or embellished claim that is not literally true.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • His story about the fish he caught was a clear exaggeration. (The claim about the fish's size was much greater than reality.)
  • Saying you have "a million things to do" is a common exaggeration. (It is an overstated way to express having many tasks.)
  • The report was criticized for its exaggeration of the economic risks. (The report made the risks appear more severe than they are.)

Advanced Usage

• "A gross exaggeration": A very large and obvious overstatement.
  • Calling it a disaster is a gross exaggeration; it was just a minor setback.
• "Without exaggeration": Used to emphasize that a statement, though it may sound extreme, is actually true.
  • Without exaggeration, it was the best meal I've ever had.

Variants and Related Words

• Exaggerate (verb): To represent something as greater than it is.
  • He tends to exaggerate his accomplishments.
• Exaggerated (adjective): Made to seem larger or more important than is true; overstated.
  • She made an exaggerated gesture of surprise.
• Hyperbole (noun): A specific figure of speech using obvious and intentional exaggeration for emphasis or effect.
  • The phrase "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" is hyperbole.

Synonyms

• Overstatement: The action of stating something too strongly; an exaggerated statement.
• Embellishment: A decorative detail or feature added to a story to make it more interesting, often involving slight exaggeration.
• Amplification: The process of enlarging upon or adding detail to a statement or narrative, which can lead to exaggeration.

Related Phrases

• Pile on the exaggeration: To add multiple exaggerated details.
  • Every time he tells that story, he piles on the exaggeration.
• Given to exaggeration: Describes a person who frequently exaggerates.
  • He's a great storyteller but is somewhat given to exaggeration.

Related Idioms

• Blow something out of proportion: To treat a minor issue as a major crisis; to exaggerate the importance of something.
  • The media blew the politician's minor error completely out of proportion.
• Make a mountain out of a molehill: To exaggerate a small problem, making it seem much more serious than it is.
  • You're just making a mountain out of a molehill; it's a simple misunderstanding.

Noun

1. making to seem more important than it really is
2. the act of making something more noticeable than usual
   • the dance involved a deliberate exaggeration of his awkwardness
3. extravagant exaggeration