aggrandizement
Americannoun
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an act or instance of aggrandizing, or increasing in size, or intensity.
aggrandizement of mercantile trade in the early colonies.
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the act of making something appear greater than is actually warranted by the facts.
Some saw it as ego aggrandizement.
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expansion of power, wealth, rank, or honor.
The department was used for the aggrandizement of its leaders.
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 • Nov. 11, 2022
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 • Jul. 20, 2021
Its Security Council was authorized to deploy military force when necessary, but its very reason to be was to prevent war from being used as a tool of political aggrandizement.
From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2020
What about a disturbing aggrandizement of “masculine” behavior?
From The New Yorker • Oct. 1, 2018
I had never dreamed that anyone would accept me so simply, so completely, without question or the least hint of personal aggrandizement.
From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
