aggrandize

[ ag-ruhn-dahyz ]

Part of Speech verb

Origin + Etymology

Mid 17th century; Latin from French agrandiss-, lengthened stem of agrandir, probably from Italian aggrandire, from Latin grandis ‘large’. The ending was changed by association with verbs ending in -ize

Synonyms

boost
enlarge
expand
extend
heighten
increase
magnify

acclaim
dignify
ennoble
glorify
honor

Antonyms

condense
contract
decrease
lessen
redice
shorten
shrink

condemn
degrade
disapprove
disgrace
humiliate
shame
weaken

Definition

1. to make something appear greater

2. increase the power, status, or wealth of

Examples

1. A) You can aggrandize an object by looking at it under a magnifying glass. B) That particular mirror aggrandizes whatever is in its reflection.

2. A) His business efforts were all to aggrandize his family dynasty. B) The king would stop at nothing to aggrandize his rule.

Usage Over Time

#uncommon

Usage Over Time

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impetuous

[ im-pech-oo-uhs ]

acting or done quickly and without thought or care

repertory

[ rep-er-tawr-ee ]

a type of theatrical presentation in which a company presents several works regularly or in alternate sequence in one season

marmoreal

[ mahr-mawr-ee-uhl ]

of or like marble

conundrum

[ kuh-nuhn-druhm ]

a confusing and difficult problem or question

farouche

[ fa-roosh ]

sullen or shy in company

eggcorn

[ eg-kawrn ]

a word or phrase that is a seemingly logical alteration of another word or phrase that sounds similar and has been misheard or misinterpreted

innate

[ ih-neyt ]

existing in one from birth; inborn; native

orotund

[ awr-uh-tuhnd ]

(of a style of speaking) pompous or bombastic

prerogative

[ pri-rog-uh-tiv ]

a right, privilege, etc., limited to a specific person or to persons of a particular category