magnify

[mag-nuh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

magnified, magnifying 

1. to increase the apparent size of, as a lens does.

   Antonyms: reduce

2. to make greater in actual size; enlarge.

   to magnify a drawing in preparing for a fresco.

   Synonyms: amplify, increase, augment
   Antonyms: reduce

3. to cause to seem greater or more important; attribute too much importance to; exaggerate.

   to magnify one's difficulties.

   Synonyms: overstate
   Antonyms: minimize

4. to make more exciting; intensify; dramatize; heighten.

   The playwright magnified the conflict to get her point across.

5. Archaic.,  to extol; praise.

   to magnify the Lord.

verb (used without object)

magnified, magnifying 

1. to increase or be able to increase the apparent or actual size of an object.

magnify

/ ˈmæɡnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to increase, cause to increase, or be increased in apparent size, as through the action of a lens, microscope, etc

2. to exaggerate or become exaggerated in importance

   don't magnify your troubles

3. rare,  (tr) to increase in actual size

4. archaic,  (tr) to glorify

Other Word Forms

• magnifiable adjective
• overmagnify verb (used with object)
• remagnify verb (used with object)
• unmagnified adjective
• unmagnifying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnify¹

1350–1400; Middle English magnifien < Latin magnificāre. See magni-, -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnify¹

C14: via Old French from Latin magnificāre to praise; see _magnific

Example Sentences

A braille writer and magnifying device across the classroom are ready to be used.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But Becker said that warming ocean temperatures caused by human-caused climate change have been magnifying some of the effects of La Niña.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And while the near comeback briefly delivered a glimmer of hope that the U.S. could pull off something improbable, it ultimately magnified how disastrous the first two days really were.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Exchange-traded funds that seek to magnify the daily gains or losses of a single stock are generating returns that look like typos.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Any little data point about profitability will obviously be looked at with a magnifying glass.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• aggravate 
• amplify 
• deepen 
• enhance 
• heighten 
• inflate 
• multiply