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

And in the meantime, both will twist the rules however they can to aggrandize the rights of homophobes at the expense of LGBTQ+ people who ask for nothing more than equal justice.

From Slate

“The PRC’s efforts to aggrandize its rights in the strait while constraining the rights/freedoms of other nations — by claiming excessive sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control in the Strait-has no basis in international law,” the analysis states, adding that China is conducting “gray zone” operations to control the strait.

From Washington Times

In an era of Eras literature, which has ascended to its own genre of pop culture commentary, it can be a little too easy to hitch a ride on the bandwagon of awe and adulation — to uncritically aggrandize a billion-dollar enterprise.

From Salon

He said the school is doing this “without authorization, and in an undignified manner that seems to attempt to aggrandize and deify my father in a fawning way that he would never have wanted or approved.”

From Washington Times

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy got in big, big trouble this week for missing an opportunity to maximally aggrandize Trump.

From Slate