aggrandize

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

verb (used with object), ag·gran·dized, ag·gran·diz·ing.

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

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

to make (something) appear greater.

Also especially British, ag·gran·dise.

Origin of aggrandize

1625–35; < French aggrandiss- (long stem of aggrandir to magnify), equivalent to ag- ag- + grand (see grand) + -iss -ish², irregular equated with -ize

Related formsag·gran·dize·ment

[uh-gran-diz-muhnt] /əˈgræn dɪz mənt/, nounag·gran·diz·er

[uh-gran-dahy-zer, ag-ruhndahy-] /əˈgræn daɪ zər, ˈægˌrəndaɪ-/, noun

Synonyms for aggrandize

2. inflate, strengthen, exalt. 3. magnify.

Antonyms for aggrandize

1. reduce. 2. diminish. 3. minimize.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for aggrandise

Historical Examples of aggrandise

To aggrandise his own name, he had covered Europe with blood.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 382, October 1847
Various
The Empress, too, forgets her own consequence, in eagerness to aggrandise her favourite.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4
Jane Porter
But these use them for the benefit of others and not to aggrandise themselves.
A Son of Perdition
Fergus Hume
It extorts exorbitant revenues from this city to aggrandise other portions of the State.
Satan's Invisible World Displayed or, Despairing Democracy
W. T. Stead
This species of feudality is kept up to aggrandise the corporations at the ruin of towns; and the effect is visible.
The Writings of Thomas Paine, Volume II
Thomas Paine

British Dictionary definitions for aggrandise

aggrandize

aggrandise

verb (tr)

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

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

Derived Formsaggrandizement or aggrandisement (əˈɡrændɪzmənt), nounaggrandizer or aggrandiser, noun

Word Origin for aggrandize

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for aggrandise

aggrandize

1630s, "to make larger, increase," from French agrandiss-, present participle stem of agrandir "to augment" (16c.), ultimately from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + grandire "to make great," from grandis (see grand (adj.)). The double -g- spelling in English is by analogy with Latin words in ad-. Related: Aggrandized; aggrandizing.