What Is Hyperbole? | Definition & Examples
Hyperbole is the use of exaggerated language that is not meant to be taken literally. This is usually done to emphasize a point or add humor to a situation. We encounter hyperboles in various contexts, including literature, advertising, and everyday conversations.
It was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop a mile away.
He was as tall as a skyscraper.
There’s enough food in the cupboard to feed an entire army.
Hyperbole definition
A hyperbole is a figure of speech that employs rhetorical exaggeration for the sake of emphasis. It involves extravagant statements or claims that are obviously untrue. Hyperboles are not the same as lying. Whereas hyperbolic statements are meant to be recognized and interpreted as figurative language, lying involves making false statements with the intent to deceive.
Hyperbolic expressions can be words, phrases, or clauses. Phrases and clauses often contain comparisons, such as “He avoids public transport like the plague,” or repetition, like “She puts loads and loads of sugar in her coffee.” They commonly use words like “completely,” “everyone,” and “every time,” as well as superlatives.
Hyperboles are often accomplished via other figures of speech, like similes (“Nana was as old as the hills”) and metaphors (“You’re a monster”). We often use them to emphasize a particular quality, such as shape, size, or amount, or to make something sound bigger, better, worse, etc., than it is. Hyperboles are commonly used in literature, poetry, speeches, and everyday language.
Although many dictionaries acknowledge this usage as a hyperbole meant to add emphasis or express a strong feeling, some individuals criticize it as a misuse of the word. For them, it contradicts the word’s traditional meaning (something that is true in a strict or literal sense).
Why do we use hyperbole?
Overall, hyperbole transforms ordinary language into something extraordinary. We use it both in writing and speech to achieve different purposes and effects.
- In literature, authors use hyperbole to draw more attention to a particular element in their work, making it more memorable and impactful. For example, the line from Shakespeare’s Macbeth (Act 2, Scene 2) “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” paints a vivid scene. Also, authors often add humor or drama by blowing things out of proportion, making their work more entertaining for the audience.
- Advertisements also frequently use hyperbole to promote products or create catchy slogans. For example, many ads exaggerate product features, as seen in slogans like “Red bull gives you wings” or “King of Beers.”
- In public speaking, hyperboles are used to craft memorable messages that stick in people’s minds long after the speech is over. Politicians, for instance, use exaggerated language to evoke emotions and create a sense of urgency that ultimately helps them motivate listeners to take action or support a cause.
Hyperbole examples
A famous example of hyperbole can be found in Johnathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal.
Brands use hyperbole in their marketing to grab the audience’s attention and make their products appear irresistible or extraordinary to potential customers. Here are some mottos and taglines that employ intentional exaggeration:
“The happiest place on earth” — Disneyland
“Like walking on air” — Skechers
“The ultimate driving machine” — BMW
“Breakfast of champions” — Wheaties
Frequently asked questions about hyperboles
- What are some common synonyms for overstatement?
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Some common synonyms for “overstatement” are “exaggeration,” “magnification,” “hyperbole,” and “embroidering.” These terms refer to the act of making something seem greater, more important, or more dramatic than it is. They are often used interchangeably in many contexts to convey the idea of amplifying something.
The QuillBot Paraphraser can help you find more alternatives for “overstatement.”
