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

Proponents of peace must overcome the tendency to self-destructively aggrandize the settlements.

From The Daily Beast

They only cared to aggrandize themselves, without thought of national feeling or geographical conditions.

From Project Gutenberg

His ambition was not to secure for himself ease or luxury, but to extend his imperial power, and to aggrandize his family.

From Project Gutenberg

The Master proceeded to show that a man who speaks on his own authority alone seeks to aggrandize himself.

From Project Gutenberg

It resisted, in the lower classes, the attempt of the church to suppress it in order to aggrandize the corporation.

From Project Gutenberg

She did not try to aggrandize herself at their expense, nor did she take up weapons against them.

From Project Gutenberg