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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saturnian

[ suh-tur-nee-uhn ]

prosperous, happy, or peaceful

modicum

[ mod-i-kuhm ]

a moderate or small amount

oratorical

[ awr-uh-tawr-i-kuhl ]

given to oratory

threnody

[ thren-uh-dee ]

a poem, speech, or song of lamentation, especially for the dead; dirge; funeral song

apotheosis

[ uh-poth-ee-oh-sis ]

the elevation or exaltation of a person to the rank of a god

brix

[ bri-ks ]

a measure (in degrees) of the amount of dissolved solids in a liquid via its specific gravity; used especially to measure dissolved sugar in fruit juice and wine

credulity

[ kruh-doo-li-tee ]

willingness to believe or trust too readily, especially without proper or adequate evidence; gullibility

bugbear

[ buhg-bair ]

a cause of obsessive fear, irritation, or loathing

kapellmeister

[ kah-pel-mahy-ster ]

the leader or conductor of an orchestra or choir