What is the term used to describe stretching the truth, where the statement is not completely false?

The term "exaggeration" accurately describes the act of stretching the truth in a way that maintains some level of accuracy while amplifying certain aspects to create an impact. This often involves embellishing details or making claims that are larger in scope than the actual facts, but not completely untrue. Exaggeration can serve various purposes, such as entertainment or emphasis, allowing the audience to grasp the significance of a situation without entirely misrepresenting the truth.

For example, if someone says, "I caught a fish that was as big as a whale," the statement is an exaggeration; it is unlikely that the fish is literally the size of a whale, but it conveys the speaker's excitement about the size of the fish they did catch. In this way, exaggeration captures the essence of what is being communicated while still being rooted in some element of reality.