exaggerated
exaggerated — adjective
1. describes a statement, claim, or description that presents something as much big
describes a statement, claim, or description that presents something as much bigger, more impressive, or more serious than the facts actually support.
João's story about catching a fish as long as his arm was clearly exaggerated.
be + exaggerated with 'clearly' intensifier
The newspaper article gave an exaggerated account of the damage caused by the storm.
exaggerated + noun: account / claim / report
Ritu thought her boss's description of the project's success was wildly exaggerated.
Advertisements often use exaggerated language to make products sound better than they really are.
- overstated
narrower than 'exaggerated' — usually about numbers, amounts, or degree; less common in emotional or dramatic contexts
- inflated
strongly suggests deliberate distortion, especially about prices, statistics, or ego
- dramatic
broader and less negative; can mean 'theatrical' or 'emotional' without implying falsehood
- overblown
more informal and critical; suggests something is not just exaggerated but absurdly so
- understated
describes something presented as less important or extreme than it really is
- accurate
describes a description that matches the facts without distortion
文法句型
exaggerated + noun
be + exaggerated
用法筆記
Often appears with intensifying adverbs such as 'wildly', 'grossly', 'clearly', or 'greatly' placed before the adjective. Common in discussions of media, marketing, and personal storytelling.
常見錯誤
2. describes a physical feature of the body or an object that has become noticeably
describes a physical feature of the body or an object that has become noticeably larger or more pronounced than what is considered usual or typical.
An exaggerated curve in the patient's lower spine caused back pain.
exaggerated + anatomy: curve / reflex / response
Takeshi's leg kicked hard from an exaggerated reflex during the knee test.
The chair had an exaggerated tilt that made it hard to sit on.
Gabriel noticed an exaggerated swelling around the insect bite on his wrist.
- enlarged
more neutral and wider in use; does not carry the implication of abnormality that 'exaggerated' does in medical contexts
- pronounced
describes a feature that is very noticeable; less judgmental than 'exaggerated'
- abnormal
broader in meaning; covers any departure from the norm, not just size
- normal
describes a feature or measurement within the expected range
- diminished
describes something reduced or smaller than usual; the opposite of enlarged
文法句型
exaggerated + noun
be + exaggerated
用法筆記
This sense is primarily used in medical or technical descriptions of anatomy, physical features, or mechanical properties. Distinguish from Sense 1 (OVERSTATED), which describes statements or claims — here the exaggeration is a physical fact, not a matter of perception or storytelling.