hyperbolize
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /haɪˈpɜːrbəlaɪz/
KK: /haɪˈpɜr bəˌlaɪz/
intransitive verb
Definition
To make something sound more extreme or important than it really is by using exaggeration.
Example
He tends to hyperbolize his achievements to impress others.
Tense Forms
Past: hyperbolized
Past Participle: hyperbolized
Conversation
Do you think people tend to hyperbolize their achievements on social media?
Definitely! It makes everything seem more impressive than it really is.
Yeah, I saw someone claiming they ran a marathon in under two hours!
Right? That’s such a huge exaggeration; it’s hard to believe anyone could do that.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
exaggerate
amplify
magnify
Antonyms
understate
minimize
diminish
transitive verb
Definition
To describe something in an exaggerated way that makes it seem more extreme than it really is.
Example
He tends to hyperbolize his achievements to impress others.
Tense Forms
Past: hyperbolized
Past Participle: hyperbolized
Conversation
Did you hear how Jake hyperbolized his last camping trip?
Yeah, he said it was like living in a jungle!
I know, right? Sometimes he really goes overboard when he tells stories.
Root Explanation
Hyperbolize → It is formed from "hyper-" (meaning over or beyond) and "ballo" (from Greek, meaning to throw). The word "hyperbolize" means to throw something beyond the truth, exaggerating it.
Memory Tip
Think of 'throwing beyond' the truth when you exaggerate something — 'hyper-' means over, and 'ballo' means to throw.
Visually Confused Words
outhyperbolize
petrolize
hydrolize
herborize
herbalize