In the following question, choose the word which is closest in meaning to the given word EXAGGERATE.

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks for a synonym, or word with a similar meaning, to the verb exaggerate. Exaggeration is a common concept in everyday speech, literature and media, and understanding it helps in reading comprehension as well as in precise expression. The options include several verbs that may seem close but differ in meaning and usage.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The target word is EXAGGERATE.
• The options are MAGNIFY, IMAGINE, REINFORCE, REITERATE and UNDERLINE.
• We assume that the context is general English, not a specialised technical field.
• Exaggerate is often used when describing statements that make things seem bigger, more serious or more impressive than they actually are.

Concept / Approach:
The verb exaggerate means to represent something as larger, more important, better or worse than it really is. A close synonym is magnify when used figuratively. Magnify in this sense does not refer to using a lens but to increasing the apparent extent or importance of something in description. Imagine means to form a mental image, reinforce means to strengthen, and reiterate means to say something again. None of these precisely match the idea of overstating reality. Underline is also different, as it means to emphasise, not necessarily to distort.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the meaning of exaggerate as to overstate or describe too strongly.
Step 2: Examine the figurative meaning of magnify, which is to make something seem larger or more important.
Step 3: Compare the meaning of imagine, which involves mental pictures but not necessarily overstatement.
Step 4: Consider reinforce, which focuses on strengthening a point or structure rather than enlarging its description.
Step 5: Identify magnify as the option that most closely matches the sense of exaggerate.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider example sentences: The report exaggerates the company's success, and The report magnifies the company's success. In both cases, the meaning is that the report presents the success as greater than reality. In contrast, The report imagines the company's success sounds odd, because imagine does not carry the sense of deliberate overstatement. Similarly, The report reinforces the company's success means it strengthens an argument, not that it overstates it. The report reiterates the company's success only repeats the statement, and The report underlines the company's success emphasises rather than distorts it. This comparison confirms that magnify is the best synonym for exaggerate in this list.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, imagine, describes the act of forming a picture in the mind and does not automatically involve overstatement. Option C, reinforce, means to support or strengthen, which is different from making something appear larger or more dramatic than it is. Option D, reiterate, is to say something again for clarity or emphasis, not to distort facts. Option E, underline, means to highlight or emphasise but can be done accurately without exaggeration. Hence, these options do not capture the core meaning of exaggerate.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners may confuse exaggerate with underline or reinforce because all three can be used to give prominence to an idea. However, exaggerate specifically involves departing from truth or proportion, whereas underline and reinforce can be done with accurate information. Remembering that exaggerate includes the idea of too much or beyond reality will help distinguish it from more neutral verbs of emphasis.

Final Answer:
The word that is closest in meaning to EXAGGERATE is MAGNIFY.