exaggeration
Statement that goes beyond the facts
A sentence or description that makes something seem bigger, better, worse, or more extreme than it really is.
an exaggeration of [something]
- Saying the project was a total disaster is an exaggeration.
- Her claim that she waited for three hours is probably an exaggeration.
- It would be no exaggeration to call this the most important match of the season.
- His description of the restaurant as ‘the best in the world’ is pure exaggeration.
- The headline was a wild exaggeration of what actually happened.
- Saying the movie was the worst ever is an exaggeration.
- His story about catching a fish as big as a car is an exaggeration.
- It is no exaggeration to say she works very hard.
- That sounds like an exaggeration to me.
- The news report used a lot of exaggeration.
Habit or practice of overstating
The way a person often talks about things as bigger, better, worse, or more extreme than they really are.
a tendency toward exaggeration in [something]
- He's charming, but his constant exaggeration makes it hard to know what really happened.
- There is always some exaggeration in political speeches.
- Her tendency toward exaggeration annoys her colleagues.
- The film is entertaining, but the exaggeration of events makes it unrealistic.
- Children often use exaggeration when they tell stories about their day.
- His exaggeration makes his stories hard to believe.
- There was a lot of exaggeration in his report.
- She has a habit of exaggeration when she talks about her job.
- The book uses exaggeration to make the story fun.
- I am tired of his exaggeration about small problems.
Deliberate visual distortion in art
In art or acting, changing some parts to look much bigger, smaller, or stronger than in real life to create a strong effect.
exaggeration of [features] in [artwork]
- The cartoon relies on exaggeration of facial features to make the characters more expressive.
- In this painting, the exaggeration of scale gives the landscape a dreamlike quality.
- The director uses exaggeration in the actors' movements to highlight the comic tone of the play.
- The designer's subtle exaggeration of the car's lines makes it look faster and more dynamic.
- Exaggeration of proportion is a key element in many styles of modern sculpture.
- The artist uses exaggeration to make the eyes very big.
- There is clear exaggeration of the body in this cartoon.
- Exaggeration in the picture makes the scene look strange.
- The actor uses exaggeration in his voice and body to be funny.
- The movie uses exaggeration of color and light.
- Base: exaggeration
- Plural: exaggeration, exaggerations
a bit of an exaggeration
1Slight overstatement
Used to say that a sentence someone said is a little too strong, but still close to the truth.
- Saying the party was a total failure is a bit of an exaggeration.
- It’s a bit of an exaggeration to call him famous, but he is well known in the area.
- Three hundred emails in one day? That sounds like a bit of an exaggeration.
no exaggeration
1Truly not overstated
Used to say that what you just said, or are going to say, is really true and not made bigger or stronger.
- It is no exaggeration to say that this decision will change the company’s future.
- The traffic was, no exaggeration, the worst I’ve ever seen.
- It’s no exaggeration to call her one of the best players in the world.
not an exaggeration
1Confirms a strong claim is accurate
Used to say that a strong sentence or number you just used is true and not bigger than the real thing.
- When I say the queue was a kilometer long, it’s not an exaggeration.
- Calling the result a disaster is not an exaggeration in this case.
- People say he works 16 hours a day, and that’s not an exaggeration.
that's an exaggeration
1Saying a claim is too strong
Used to tell someone that what they just said makes something sound bigger, better, or worse than it really is.
- You’re not the only one who has problems; that’s an exaggeration.
- Calling him a genius is a bit much—that’s an exaggeration.
- She says she never gets a break, but that’s an exaggeration.
without exaggeration
1In a completely accurate way
Used to stress that you are speaking in a very true and exact way, not making things sound bigger or stronger.
- Without exaggeration, it was the coldest winter the region had seen in decades.
- The company has, without exaggeration, doubled its profits in a single year.
- He can, without exaggeration, be called a pioneer in this field.