Over-embellishing

Over-embellishing is the act of adding excessive, unnecessary, or exaggerated details to something, often with the intent to make it appear more impressive, attractive, or dramatic than it actually is. This can apply to narratives, descriptions, artistic creations, or even personal presentations. It frequently involves stretching the truth, adding flourishes, or including elements that are superfluous and detract from the core meaning or impact. The degree to which it is considered excessive can vary depending on the context and audience. It may also lead to confusion or a misrepresentation of the original source, especially for factual accounts.

Over-embellishing meaning with examples

• The travel blog's description of the hike was undeniably stunning, with vivid descriptions of mythical creatures and breathtaking panoramas. However, it was later revealed the author was over-embellishing the experience, leaving out the tedious parts and exaggerating the overall difficulty to make the story seem more adventurous than it was.
• During the press conference, the CEO was accused of over-embellishing the company's recent success, by focusing on the positive aspects and minimizing or ignoring the problems that had been happening. Investors called out the deception saying he misled them with glowing projections, when profits were significantly below expectation.
• The artist was criticized for over-embellishing the already ornate church. Intricate statues and carvings that detracted from the building's purpose. The architectural reviewers found his embellishments had gone too far, overshadowing the structure's inherent beauty with unnecessary ornamentation that was distracting.
• In her presentation, the candidate was accused of over-embellishing her qualifications. She used flowery language to imply achievements she hadn't reached, claiming expertise beyond her practical experience. Her resume was viewed as inaccurate, making it appear she was more capable than she truly was.