aggrandizement

[ uh-gran-diz-muhnt ]

noun

1. an act or instance of aggrandizing, or increasing in size, or intensity:

   aggrandizement of mercantile trade in the early colonies.

2. the act of making something appear greater than is actually warranted by the facts:

   Some saw it as ego aggrandizement.

3. expansion of power, wealth, rank, or honor:

   The department was used for the aggrandizement of its leaders.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aggrandizement¹

1655–1665; aggrandize ( def ) + -ment, influenced by French agrandissement, aggrandissement

Example Sentences

At his birthday party in season 3, Kendall plans to be lifted up on a cross, but then scuttles the gambit when even he recognizes the moment would read as aggrandizement.

From Time

Apple’s apparent predominance in this survey might contradict the advice to play down the aggrandizement of an exiting CEO and highlight the compilation and transfer of an organization’s history to the next chief executive.

From TechCrunch

Executive aggrandizement, the fourth threat, is the one that has really been engaged in pretty equally by both parties since FDR.

From Vox

He sought self-aggrandizement, and was extremely fond of killing.

From The Daily Beast

She took a drubbing, fielding accusations of self-aggrandizement from the financial press and fans alike.

From The Daily Beast

Self-aggrandizement via letting others depend on you can be a poor substitute for a sense of your own accomplishments.

From The Daily Beast

The aggrandizement of one tends to excite a combination, or at least the wishes of many, to reduce him to the common level.

From Project Gutenberg

Napoleon had opened to him at Tilsit a dazzling vista of territorial aggrandizement.

From Project Gutenberg

Rome had been too occupied with politics and aggrandizement ever to become cultured.

From Project Gutenberg

They talked of the covetousness and want of scruple of the Knights, of their passion for aggrandizement and their rapacity.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence, in the order of Providence, the dream of Charlemagne as to unbounded military aggrandizement could not be realized.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Aggrandizement

What does aggrandizement mean?

Aggrandizement refers to the act of making something larger or greater. It specifically refers to inflating something or making someone appear more important or powerful than they really are.

This word is often seen in self-aggrandizement, or “the act of making oneself more important, powerful, or wealthy.” Aggrandizement is spelled with an S, aggrandisement, in British English.

Example: Concerned about the unintended aggrandizement of her accomplishments, the philanthropist did not conduct interviews about her work.

Where doe aggrandizement come from?

Aggrandizement is rooted in the French word agrandir, “to make larger or bigger.” Agrandir is ultimately derived from the Latin grandis, meaning “great” or “large.” Aggrandizement was first recorded in English in the 1650s with the meaning “the act of increasing one’s wealth, power, or status.”

Aggrandizement is a powerful vocabulary word to use to call out when someone is making themselves seem greater than they actually are, especially appearing in the compound self-aggrandizement. For example: The employee was accused of self-aggrandizement after it was discovered he padded his resume with awards and volunteer work.

Aggrandizement and self-aggrandizement can also describe when someone does something, such as running for office, for their own personal gain.

If you want to refer to a more literal increase in something’s size or intensity, without the negative connotation of aggrandizement, consider words like growth, expansion, enlargement, or proliferation.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of aggrandizement?

• aggrandize (verb)
• self-aggrandize

What are some synonyms for aggrandizement?

• bragging
• boasting
• glorification
• self-importance
• self-inflation
• braggadocio

What are some words that share a root or word element with aggrandizement?

• grand
• grandeur
• grandiose

What are some words that often get used in discussing aggrandizement?

• personal 
• wealth
• fortune
• ego

What are some words aggrandizement may be commonly confused with?

• aggradation
• aggravation
• agglomerate

How is aggrandizement used in real life?

Calling someone self-aggrandizing or using aggrandizement to describe them is a critique of their arrogance. This is particularly true when celebrities, politicians, and business people are accused of self-aggrandizement for some type of personal gain.

The story of all dictators according to GK Chesterton:
-rise to power
-eliminate enemies
-self-aggrandizement
-growing paranoia
-eliminate former supporters/friends
-final decline

— Alyssa Stebbing (@unapobrecita) October 6, 2019

We hope to build a Nation where peace, equality, justice and fundamental liberty are the philosophical basis of its foundation. We need to rise above all form(s) of religious bigotry and against anyone fuelling ethnic jingoism or tribal hatred for self aggrandizement.

— Balogun Sofiyullahi (@iam_boas) October 1, 2019

transform your self-deprivation into cheerful self-aggrandizement with a dash of sharp humility ✨

— 🌱 (@flowingbrightly) September 10, 2019

Try using aggrandizement!

Which of the following is an antonym for aggrandizement?

A. glorification
B. amplification
C. elevation
D. abasement