hyperbole

[hahy-pur-buh-lee]

noun

Rhetoric.

1. obvious and intentional exaggeration.

2. an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity.”

   Synonyms: overstatement
   Antonyms: understatement

hyperbole

/ haɪˈpɜːbəlɪ /

noun

1. a deliberate exaggeration used for effect

   he embraced her a thousand times

hyperbole

1. An exaggerated, extravagant expression. It is hyperbole to say, “I'd give my whole fortune for a bowl of bean soup.”

Other Word Forms

• hyperbolism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyperbole¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Greek hyperbolḗ “excess, exaggeration, a throwing beyond,” equivalent to hyper- hyper- + bolḗ “a throw”

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyperbole¹

C16: from Greek: from _hyper- + bolē a throw, from ballein to throw

Example Sentences

"Rowling's critics claim she is transphobic, the greatest sin of our time, and use the usual tedious hyperbole to demonise her," Boyne wrote.

From BBC

The missives have largely mimicked the president’s own social media patois, with hyperbole, petty insults and a heavy reliance on the “caps lock” key.

From Los Angeles Times

Bush, also under the guise of law and order — and our current circumstances is that in this instance, the notion of war isn’t just hyperbole.

From Los Angeles Times

In day-to-day politics, it is easy to indulge in hyperbole.

From BBC

"It felt like we were on the golf course for about 12 hours," Australia's Marc Leishman, who plays on a LIV Golf tour which has smaller fields and a shotgun start, said with hyperbole.

From BBC

Related Words

• hype 
• metaphor 
• overstatement www.thesaurus.com

When To Use

What is hyperbole?

Hyperbole is an intentional, obvious exaggeration, such as I hit that dang piñata a million times before it broke.Hyperbole is not supposed to be taken literally. The reader or listener is supposed to know that the user of hyperbole is joking or not being serious, as in It took them forever to finally finish raking the leaves.The adjective form of hyperbole is hyperbolic, as in My grandfather often told me hyperbolic stories of walking 30 miles to go to school. The opposite of hyperbole is litotes, an intentional understatement, as in Leonardo da Vinci was not bad at painting.