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

258 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

vsto expand

192 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

70 4.2

Say something is bigger or more important than it really is

expresses the same overstatement but is slightly more neutral in tone

I

to inflate

vsto expand

47 4.2

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

focuses on apparent enlargement without implying added false detail

M

to magnify

vsto expand

34 4.6

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

is similar but centers more on apparent size or importance

D

to dramatize

vsto expand

15 4.2

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

focuses on enlarging importance without the theatrical or exciting tone

O

to overplay

vsto expand

13 4.6

Make something seem more important or serious than it really is

focuses on exaggerated importance but with a milder emphasis

A

to amplify

vsto expand

9 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

P

to play up

vsto expand

9 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 overemphasize

vsto expand

8 5.5

Treat something as more important than it should be

is similar but centers more on apparent enlargement than on attention

A

to aggrandize

vsto expand

• Formal

5 9.5

To make something seem more important by adding details or exaggerating

does the same enlargement but without stressing added storytelling

S

to stretch the truth

vsto expand

• Informal

5 5.3

To make a story seem better than it really is

covers exaggeration generally but not specifically altering facts

B

to blow up

vsto expand

4 3.7

To make something seem more important or bigger than it is

also enlarges perception but may be less idiomatic or vivid

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

O

to overblow

vsto expand

1 5.9

To make something seem more important or serious than it is

expresses exaggerated importance but often less forcefully

M

to make a meal of

vsto expand

• Informal

1 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 overexaggerate

vsto expand

1 5.4

To make something seem much worse or bigger than it is

means the same exaggeration but in a less extreme way

H

to hyperbolize

vsto expand

• 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

vsto expand

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

vsto expand

9.1

To make an idea or claim seem more important

also enlarges perceived importance but is less idiomatic or common

O

to overexpand

vsto expand

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

59 5.3

Show something as less important or serious than it is

How Exaggerated

to blow up

4 3.7

to inflate

47 4.2

to expand

20 3.4

to overstate

70 4.2

Surface Forms

Etymology