to expand

Examples

• All

• Gradually, however, the new government began to expand its power over the economy.

  Academic text (1998)

• The United States also wished to expand trading to include trades between developed and developing countries.

  Academic text (1998)

• Both works, in fact, further expand social divides.

  Academic text (2014)

• Frayda tried to wedge past her grandmother, who expanded her arms to block the door.

  Fiction book (1997)

• Turkey's support of the Syrian rebels explicitly threatens Iran's expanding power in the region and its ideological sphere of influence.

  Academic text (2012)

• He tends to expand on his achievements when talking to others, making them sound more impressive.

• In storytelling, some writers expand characters' backgrounds to make them more relatable.

Synonyms

E

to exaggerate

vsto expand

165 3.1

To say something is larger, better, or worse than it really is

has the same meaning with no notable difference in use

S

to stretch

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129 4.8

Make something seem bigger than it really is

is closer to making something seem larger rather than changing meaning

O

to overstate

vsto expand

52 4.2

Say something is bigger or more important than it really is

expresses the same overstatement but is slightly more neutral in tone

M

to magnify

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35 4.6

To make something seem more important or serious than it really is

is similar but centers more on apparent size or importance

P

to play up

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30 4.3

Make something seem more important or impressive than it is

does the same emphasis but with a stronger sense of making larger

O

to overplay

vsto expand

21 4.6

Make something seem more important or serious than it really is

focuses on exaggerated importance but with a milder emphasis

D

to dramatize

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12 4.2

To make something seem more exciting or important than it really is

focuses on enlarging importance without the theatrical or exciting tone

A

to aggrandize

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• Formal

8 9.5

To make something seem more important by adding details or exaggerating

does the same enlargement but without stressing added storytelling

B

to blow up

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7 3.7

To make something seem more important or bigger than it is

also enlarges perception but may be less idiomatic or vivid

I

to inflate

vsto expand

7 4.2

To make something seem more important or bigger than it really is

focuses on apparent enlargement without implying added false detail

S

to stretch the truth

vsto expand

• Informal

7 5.3

To make a story seem better than it really is

covers exaggeration generally but not specifically altering facts

O

to overemphasize

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6 5.5

Treat something as more important than it should be

is similar but centers more on apparent enlargement than on attention

M

to make a meal of

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• Informal

2 8.3

Act as if something is much more difficult or important than it is

involves exaggeration but stresses complexity rather than sheer size

O

to overblow

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2 5.9

To make something seem more important or serious than it is

expresses exaggerated importance but often less forcefully

O

to overexaggerate

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1 5.4

To make something seem much worse or bigger than it is

means the same exaggeration but in a less extreme way

A

to amplify

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1 5.6

To make something seem bigger or more important than it really is

shares this enlarging effect but is less about volume or sound

O

to overinflate

vsto expand

1 5.1

Make something seem much bigger or more important than it is

covers the same enlargement but without stressing excessiveness

H

to hyperbolize

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• US

1 7.9

To make something seem much bigger or more important than it really is

matches this extreme portrayal but in everyday rather than formal style

O

to overdraw

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1 6.6

Describe something as more important or impressive than it really is

aims at making things seem larger rather than adding dramatic flair

S

to substantialize

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9.1

To make an idea or claim seem more important

also enlarges perceived importance but is less idiomatic or common

O

to overexpand

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5.3

To make writing or an answer longer than necessary

relates to exaggeration but focuses on length rather than importance

Antonyms

D

to downplay

62 5.3

Show something as less important or serious than it is

How Exaggerated

to blow up

7 3.7

to inflate

7 4.2

to expand

1 3.4

to overstate

52 4.2

Surface Forms

Etymology