aggrandize
Definitions
To increase the power, wealth, or importance of something
扩大（权势、财富、地位）
To make someone or something appear greater than it really is; to exaggerate
吹捧；夸大；抬高
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedad- (to), assimilated to ag- before g, + grand (great) + -ize (to make) = 'to make greater.' It is the verb that keeps grandis most literally. You can aggrandize real power (expand an empire) or self-aggrandize — puff up your own importance.
Root grand still carries 13 more wordsUsage Guide
- Most common in formal or critical writing about power and ego, often negative.
- self-aggrandize / self-aggrandizing / self-aggrandizement are the high-frequency forms.
- AmE spelling aggrandize; the noun is aggrandizement /əˈɡrændɪzmənt/.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The dictator used the war only to aggrandize his own power.
- 2.
She never missed a chance to aggrandize her role in the project.
- 3.
Critics said the memoir was written purely to self-aggrandize.