Word of the Day: AGGRANDIZE

ag·gran·dize

verb \ə-ˈgran-ˌdīz also ˈa-grən-\

ag·gran·dized     ag·gran·diz·ing

Definition of AGGRANDIZE

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>

— ag·gran·dize·ment noun

— ag·gran·diz·er noun

Examples of AGGRANDIZE

1. <a movie that aggrandizes the bad guys and makes the cops look like dopes>
2. <a generous grant, enabling the library to significantly aggrandize its collection of books on tape>

Origin of AGGRANDIZE

French agrandiss-, stem of agrandir, from a- (from Latin ad-) + grandir to increase, from Latin grandire, from grandis great

First Known Use: 1634

Related to AGGRANDIZE

Synonyms

exalt, canonize, deify, dignify, elevate, ennoble, enshrine, ensky, enthrone, glorify, magnify

Antonyms

abase, degrade, demean, humble, humiliate

 

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aggrandize