aggrandize

verb

ag·​gran·​dize ə-ˈgran-ˌdīz How to pronounce aggrandize (audio)
 also  ˈa-grən-
aggrandized; aggrandizing

transitive verb

1
: to make great or greater : increase, enlarge
aggrandize an estate
2
: to make appear great or greater : praise highly
3
: to enhance the power, wealth, position, or reputation of
exploited the situation to aggrandize himself
aggrandizement noun

Did you know?

Aggrandize is a grand word, and we don’t just mean that in praise. The word literally traces back to the Latin adjective grandis, meaning "grand," and it has enhanced the English language for over three centuries. Nowadays, aggrandize is often paired with self (either the word or the prefix: to "aggrandize oneself" or to "be self-aggrandizing" is to glorify oneself, or to intently pursue power, wealth, and the like. It's of course great to take pride in a job well done, but we stan those who keep it real—after all, not every hit can be a grand slam.

Examples of aggrandize in a Sentence

a movie that aggrandizes the bad guys and makes the cops look like dopes a generous grant, enabling the library to significantly aggrandize its collection
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the Caribbean, San Juan’s rebirth following hurricanes and the pandemic is marked by an inaugural culinary festival, thanks to the very innovators who have aggrandized the tiny island’s bold flavors around the globe. Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Dec. 2024 All of the usual tricks he’s employed to aggrandize himself and avoid accountability throughout his career are laid bare here. Sarah Kurchak, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024 Dennie’s book is best read as a critique of a court that seems hellbent on aggrandizing its own unaccountable power to decide partisan issues at the expense of the other branches of government and the American people. Kenneth W. MacK, Washington Post, 19 July 2024 The Supreme Court, in eviscerating decades of administrative law, running roughshod over women’s privacy rights and impeding the federal government’s power to regulate securities law, has aggrandized more power to itself than any court in history. Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for aggrandize 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed (with assimilation of the ending to -ize) from French agrandiss-, stem of agrandir, going back to Old French, from a-, verb-forming prefix (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -grandir, verbal derivative of grand "large, great," going back to Latin grandis "fully grown, large, great" — more at grand entry 1

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aggrandize was in 1634

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Dictionary Entries Near aggrandize

Cite this Entry

“Aggrandize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aggrandize. Accessed 1 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

aggrandize

verb
ag·​gran·​dize ə-ˈgran-ˌdīz How to pronounce aggrandize (audio)
 also  ˈag-rən-
aggrandized; aggrandizing
: to make great or greater (as in power, wealth, or reputation)
aggrandizement
ə-ˈgran-dəz-mənt How to pronounce aggrandize (audio)
-ˌdīz-
 also  ˌag-rən-ˈdīz-mənt
noun
aggrandizer noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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