Emphasize and Exaggerate

Emphasize

Emphasize verb - To indicate the importance of by centering attention on.

Exaggerate and emphasize are semantically related In some cases you can use "Exaggerate" instead a verb "Emphasize".

Exaggerate

Exaggerate verb - To add to the interest of by including made-up details.
Usage example: the American colonist John Smith is believed by many historians to have exaggerated his adventures

Emphasize and exaggerate are semantically related in overstate topic. Sometimes you can use "Emphasize" instead a verb "Exaggerate".

Common collocations

character emphasize character exaggerate character
strength emphasize strength exaggerate strength
role emphasize role exaggerate role
status emphasize status exaggerate status
Other words: look, nature, appearance, aspect, effect, moment, characters, size, contrast, elements, qualities, traits, aspects.
Cite this Source
Exaggerate and Emphasize. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/emphasize/exaggerate
Emphasize & Exaggerate. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/emphasize/exaggerate>.
Exaggerate or Emphasize. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/emphasize/exaggerate.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "emphasize" and "exaggerate" have occurred on timeline