exaggerate

exaggerate — verb

1. to describe something in a way that makes it seem bigger, more important, or mor

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to describe something in a way that makes it seem bigger, more important, or more extreme than it actually is — for example, saying you waited 'forever' when you only waited ten minutes.

例句

The fisherman exaggerated the size of the fish he had caught.

Lara tends to exaggerate when she tells stories about her travels.

intransitive: exaggerate + when-clause

同義詞
  • overstate

    more formal; common in written and business contexts

  • embellish

    suggests adding attractive details to a story rather than simply overstating facts

  • stretch the truth

    informal idiom; softer and less accusatory than exaggerate

  • inflate

    specifically used with numbers, prices, or statistics

反義詞
  • understate

    direct opposite; present something as smaller or less important than it is

  • downplay

    to make something seem less serious or important than it really is

文法句型

exaggerate + noun

exaggerate + about + noun

exaggerate + when-clause

用法筆記

Frequently used intransitively in conversation, especially in phrases like 'You're exaggerating!' or 'I'm not exaggerating.'

常見錯誤

❌The newspaper exaggerated about the story completely.
✅The newspaper completely exaggerated the story.
💡with intensifying adverbs, place them before the verb, not after 'about'.
❌It is exaggerating to say that...
✅It is an exaggeration to say that...
💡after 'It is', use the noun form 'exaggeration', not the verb.

2. to perform an action or behaviour to a degree that goes beyond what is usual, re

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to perform an action or behaviour to a degree that goes beyond what is usual, reasonable, or healthy — for instance, exaggerating your training by running twice as far as advised.

例句

Ryo exaggerated his workout routine and injured his shoulder.

exaggerate + routine/effort (physical excess)

The actor exaggerated every gesture, turning a simple scene into a comedy show.

同義詞
  • overdo

    more common in everyday speech; less formal

  • overplay

    especially used in performance, sports, or emotional contexts

  • go overboard

    informal idiom; suggests lack of self-control

反義詞
  • moderate

    to keep actions within reasonable limits

  • restrain

    to hold back from doing something excessively

文法句型

exaggerate + noun (action or behaviour)

用法筆記

Subject is typically a specific physical action or measurable behaviour (workout, seasoning, gestures). Unlike sense 1, this sense does not take an about-phrase.

常見錯誤

❌She exaggerated about her workout routine.
✅She exaggerated her workout routine.
💡sense 2 requires a direct object without 'about'; 'exaggerate about' belongs to sense 1.