Why was the term Boston massacre an exaggerated term for the event?

The term "Boston Massacre" is considered exaggerated because it implies a large-scale slaughter, while the actual event on March 5, 1770, involved the deaths of five colonists during a confrontation with British soldiers. The term was popularized by patriot leaders to galvanize anti-British sentiment and rally support for the colonial cause. The use of the Word "massacre" served to inflame emotions and portray the British as oppressive aggressors, rather than reflecting the complexities of the incident. Overall, it was a strategic framing that amplified the significance of the event in the context of growing revolutionary fervor.