aggrandize

American  

[uh-gran-dahyz, ag-ruhn-dahyz] / əˈgræn daɪz, ˈæg rənˌdaɪz /

especially British, aggrandise

verb (used with object)

aggrandized, aggrandizing

1. to widen in scope; increase in size or intensity; enlarge; extend.

   Antonyms:

   reduce

2. to make great or greater in power, wealth, rank, or honor.

   Synonyms:

   exalt, strengthen, inflate

   Antonyms:

   diminish

3. to make (something) appear greater.

   Synonyms:

   magnify

   Antonyms:

   minimize

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aggrandize British  

/ ˈæɡrənˌdaɪz, əˈɡrænˌdaɪz, əˈɡrændɪzmənt /

verb

1. to increase the power, wealth, prestige, scope, etc, of

2. to cause (something) to seem greater; magnify; exaggerate

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Other Word Forms

• aggrandizement noun
• aggrandizer noun

Etymology

Origin of aggrandize

1625–35; < French aggrandiss- (long stem of aggrandir to magnify), equivalent to ag- ag- + grand ( grand ) + -iss -ish ², irregular equated with -ize ( def. )

Example Sentences

“There was never looking for credit, never looking to aggrandize himself,” Rendell told AP.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2022

It feels odd to talk about, because I don’t want to aggrandize myself.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2019

Gamers, to protect what they cherish, become defensive and aggrandize games even though the gaming community isn’t perfect, as demonstrated when the author recounted being ridiculed for unconventional choices.

From Washington Post • Nov. 1, 2019

Her disgruntled co-writer, Lisa DePaulo, also filed a breach of contract suit, claiming therein that she’d been instructed to aggrandize Pirro’s “role in the story at the expense of the truth.”

From Slate • Dec. 15, 2017

It was his sole object to aggrandize himself by promoting the splendor, the power, and the glory of the monarchy.

From Louis XIV. Makers of History Series by Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot)