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v. ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing, ex·ag·ger·ates v.tr. To consider, represent, or cause to appear as larger, more important, or more extreme than is actually the case; overstate: exaggerated his own role in the episode; exaggerated the size of the enemy force; exaggerated how difficult the project would be. v.intr. To make overstatements. [Latin exaggerāre, exaggerāt-, to heap up, magnify : ex-, intensive pref.; see EX- + aggerāre, to pile up (from agger, pile, from aggerere, to bring to : ad-, ad- + gerere, to bring).] ex·agger·at′ed·ly adv. ex·ag′ger·ation n. ex·agger·a′tive, ex·agger·a·to′ry (-ə-tôr′ē) adj. ex·agger·a′tor 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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