unexaggerated

Unexaggerated is an adjective describing statements, descriptions, or representations that are not embellished or overstated. It implies a restrained, literal, or minimally embellished presentation, aiming to convey information rather than to persuade through hype. The term is formed by negating the word exaggerated.

Usage and nuance: The label is often used in journalism, science, criticism, and everyday discourse to indicate that the speaker or writer is avoiding hyperbole. For example, an article might present unexaggerated statistics to emphasize reliability, or a reviewer might offer an unexaggerated assessment of a product’s performance. The sense of unexaggerated can vary with context, since what counts as not exaggerating depends on reasonable expectations and baseline information.

Relation to other terms: Unexaggerated is the opposite of exaggerated or hyperbolic. It sits near terms such as factual, accurate, precise, and measured, which similarly stress reliability and restraint. In rhetoric, understatement is a related device that achieves a similar effect through deliberate minimalism, though it is a stylistic choice rather than a factual guarantee.

Limitations and considerations: Using unexaggerated to describe a statement does not by itself guarantee truth or completeness. It depends on context, data quality, and the inclusion of relevant details. A claim can be unexaggerated in wording yet still omit crucial information or fail to account for variability, presenting a misleading impression despite restraint in language.

See also: understatement, factual, accuracy, measured, precise.