essential -
1 : of, relating to, or constituting essence : INHERENT
2 : of the utmost importance : BASIC, INDISPENSABLE, NECESSARY
basic -
1 : of, relating to, or forming the base or essence : FUNDAMENTAL
2 : constituting or serving as the basis or starting point
fundamental -
1 a : serving as an original or generating source : PRIMARY b : serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function : BASIC
2 : of or relating to essential structure, function, or facts : RADICAL
3 : of, relating to, or produced by the lowest component of a complex vibration
4 : of central importance : PRINCIPAL
5 : belonging to one's innate or ingrained characteristics : DEEP-ROOTED
exaggerate -
1 : to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth : OVERSTATE
2 : to enlarge or increase especially beyond the normal : OVEREMPHASIZE
"No matter what happens, the U.S. Navy is not going to be caught napping." - Frank Knox (U.S. Secretary of the Navy - December 4, 1941).