What term is used for an exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally?

The correct answer is hyperbole, which refers to a deliberate and extravagant exaggeration used for emphasis or effect. It is a figure of speech that is not intended to be understood literally but rather to convey strong feelings, create a dramatic effect, or provide humor. For example, saying "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" uses hyperbole to emphasize extreme hunger without implying that the speaker actually intends to eat a horse.

The other terms do not fit this definition. Alliteration refers to the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words, which is a stylistic device and does not involve exaggeration. Emotive language is designed to evoke an emotional response from the audience but does not inherently involve exaggeration. An imperative is a command or request expressed in verb form, serving a different purpose than that of hyperbole.