aggrandize

[ uh-gran-dahyz, ag-ruhn-dahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, ag·gran·dized, ag·gran·diz·ing.

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

aggrandize

/ ˈæɡrənˌdaɪz; əˈɡrænˌdaɪz; əˈɡrændɪzmənt /

verb

1. to increase the power, wealth, prestige, scope, etc, of
2. to cause (something) to seem greater; magnify; exaggerate

Derived Forms

• aggrandizement, noun
• ˈaggranˌdizer, noun

Other Words From

• ag·gran·dize·ment [uh, -, gran, -diz-m, uh, nt], noun
• ag·gran·diz·er [uh, -, gran, -dahy-zer, ag, -r, uh, ndahy-], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of aggrandize¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of aggrandize¹

C17: from Old French aggrandiss-, long stem of aggrandir to make bigger, from Latin grandis grand ; the ending -ize is due to the influence of verbs ending in -ise, -ize

Example Sentences

"He aggrandizes himself, slanders Navalny, and compares his lifelong criminality and the US justice system with dictator Putin's persecution of political opposition."

From Salon

With Iowa fully in the rearview mirror, expect to hear a variation on the phrase “Iowa picks corn, New Hampshire picks presidents,” a favorite local slogan that aggrandizes the state’s role in the nominating process.

From New York Times

"I felt that it was taking advantage of people's pro-life, pro-choice perspectives and aggrandizing them," she said.

From Reuters

He said agencies have aggrandized too much power to themselves when they seek to be both prosecutor and judge, through what’s known as administrative law judges.

From Washington Times

No one in 1787 could have foreseen Trump, but history had taught the founders about the type: men of “perverted ambition” who “hope to aggrandize themselves by the confusions of their country.”

From Washington Post