overexaggerate
English
Etymology
From over- + exaggerate, perhaps specifically influenced by overstate and/or overdo.
Verb
overexaggerate (third-person singular simple present overexaggerates, present participle overexaggerating, simple past and past participle overexaggerated)
- To exaggerate, to overstate excessively.
- "That math test was so hard, nobody could have passed it! Albert Einstein couldn't have done it! Our professor probably had no idea how to solve those equations! I mean-"
- "I get it, OK? Quit overexaggerating!"
Usage notes
- Since exaggerate already denotes excess, overexaggerate is considered redundant and therefore proscribed by some authorities.[1] [2]
References
- ^ 2009, Richard Lederer, Richard Dowis, Sleeping Dogs Don't Lay: Practical Advice For The Grammatically Challenged
- ^ "Over-exaggerated" by Paul Brians