aggrandizement

American  

[uh-gran-diz-muhnt] / əˈgræn dɪz mənt /

especially British, aggrandisement

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.

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of aggrandizement

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

Example Sentences

Sen. Patty Murray is the kind of politician who can be trusted to use her seniority for productive work, not personal aggrandizement or self-promotion.

From Seattle Times

Mr. O’Toole, for his part, has sought to portray the vote as an act of personal aggrandizement.

From New York Times

Expecting an exaltation of victors and an aggrandizement of the host country’s preparations and successes, the committee requested that Ichikawa cut the film to the essential elements.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of them reason, correctly, that banning earmarks has exacerbated the aggrandizement of the executive branch and the marginalization of Congress.

From Washington Post

Bush walks that line — portraying the bad without aggrandizement and illuminating the good without sentimentality.

From New York Times