ex·ag·ger·ate ( g-z j  -r t )v. ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing, ex·ag·ger·ates v.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. v.intr. To make overstatements. [Latin exagger re, 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).]ex·ag ger·ated·ly adv.ex·ag ger·ation n.ex·ag ger·ative, ex·agger·a·tory (--tôr , -t r) adj.ex·ag ger·ator n.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 |
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