aggrandize
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.
Origin of aggrandize
1- Also especially British, ag·gran·dise .
Other words for aggrandize
Opposites for aggrandize
Other words from aggrandize
- ag·gran·dize·ment [uh-gran-diz-muhnt], /əˈgræn dɪz mənt/, noun
- ag·gran·diz·er [uh-gran-dahy-zer, ag-ruhndahy-], /əˈgræn daɪ zər, ˈægˌrəndaɪ-/, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use aggrandize in a sentence
The book, surprisingly, is not the self-aggrandizing vanity trip of a preening pop star one would expect.
Portrait of the Austin Mahone as a Teen Idol | William O’Connor | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOne blogger called it a “self-aggrandizing political stunt.”
“The vast majority are motivated by noble motives, rather than financial or self-aggrandizing,” Sweeney said.
Tampa’s ‘Wisteria Lane’: Petraeus, Broadwell, Kelley—and a Culture of Climbing | Winston Ross | November 16, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThis self-aggrandizing drive also ensured her early success, when she rose from a script-reader at MGM to being a playwright.
Lillian Hellman, Clarence Birdseye and Thai Jones: Must Read Nonfiction | Victoria Beale, Wendy Smith, Kevin Canfield | May 17, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTGone is Jason Russell and his kid, gone the self-aggrandizing references to his own role as some kind of hero of Africa.
Second StopKony Video Shows Social Media’s Power in Joseph Kony Hunt | Winston Ross | April 6, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
He could find no method of humbling one subject grown too great, but by aggrandizing in the same excessive degree some others.
The only option left to him as a conqueror was to continue aggrandizing himself at the expense of China.
The Life of Yakoob Beg | Demetrius BoulgerHis fame was to consist, not in revenging himself upon his enemies, but in aggrandizing France.
And another: "Whosoever is ambitious of aggrandizing his name will destroy it."
A Layman's Life of Jesus | Samuel H. M. ByersIn exposition he had the rare art of unfolding and aggrandizing.
British Dictionary definitions for aggrandize
aggrandise
/ (ˈæɡrənˌdaɪz, əˈɡrænˌdaɪz) /
to increase the power, wealth, prestige, scope, etc, of
to cause (something) to seem greater; magnify; exaggerate
Origin of aggrandize
1Derived forms of aggrandize
- aggrandizement or aggrandisement (əˈɡrændɪzmənt), noun
- aggrandizer or aggrandiser, noun
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
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