hyperbole [noun]

Definition of hyperbole:

  • An exaggerated statement or claim that is not meant to be taken literally but is used for emphasis or effect.
  • A rhetorical device that involves extreme exaggeration to create a strong impression or to evoke strong feelings.

Synonyms of hyperbole:


Opposite/Antonyms of hyperbole:


Sentence/Example of hyperbole:

  • "I've told you a million times." – Used to emphasize that something has been said many times, though not literally a million.
  • "This bag weighs a ton." – To express that the bag is very heavy, though not actually weighing a ton.
  • "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." – To indicate extreme hunger, not that one could actually eat a whole horse.
  • "She’s as old as the hills." – To suggest someone is very old, not literally as old as the hills.
  • "He’s the best player in the world." – To highlight someone's exceptional skill, not suggesting that no one else is skilled.
  • "I’ve been waiting forever." – To express that the wait has been very long, though not literally forever.
  • "This is the greatest thing since sliced bread." – To emphasize how great something is, not that it surpasses all inventions.
  • "I’m dying of boredom." – To convey extreme boredom, not literal death.
  • "Her smile is a mile wide." – To describe a very big and joyful smile, not literally a mile.
  • "I could sleep for a year." – To express extreme tiredness, not that one could literally sleep for a year.
  • "The car goes faster than the speed of light." – To emphasize a car’s speed, though not literally faster than light.
  • "His brain is the size of a pea." – To suggest someone is not very smart, not that their brain is literally the size of a pea.
  • "She cried a river of tears." – To describe someone crying a lot, not that a literal river of tears was produced.
  • "I’m so tired I could sleep on a bed of nails." – To indicate extreme fatigue, not that one could actually sleep comfortably on nails.
  • "The suitcase was so full it could burst." – To show the suitcase is very packed, not that it will actually burst.
  • "His explanation took forever." – To express that the explanation was very lengthy, not that it lasted for an actual eternity.
  • "The house is so big you could get lost in it." – To describe the house’s size, not that one could literally get lost.
  • "I’ve got tons of homework." – To indicate a large amount of homework, not literally tons.
  • "He’s as strong as an ox." – To emphasize someone’s strength, not that they are literally as strong as an ox.
  • "I’m so excited I could jump to the moon." – To convey extreme excitement, not that one could literally jump to the moon.
  • "The cake was as big as a house." – To highlight the large size of the cake, not that it was literally as big as a house.
  • "She sings like an angel." – To praise her singing ability, not suggesting she sings literally like an angel.
  • "This book weighs a ton." – To describe a very heavy book, not that it literally weighs a ton.