aggrandize

1 of 2

verb

ag·​gran·​dize ə-ˈgran-ˌdīz 

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

ə-ˈgran-dəz-mənt 

-ˌdīz-

also ˌa-grən-ˈdīz-

noun

aggrandizer

ə-ˈgran-ˌdī-zər 

also ˈa-grən-

noun

aggrandizement

2 of 2

noun

ag·​gran·​dize·​ment ə-ˈgran-dəz-mənt 

-ˌdīz, 

-ˌa-grən-ˈdīz-

plural -s

: the act, action, or result of aggrandizing : advancement

their aggrandizement from low estate to social prominence

: enlargement

critics of his aggrandizement of federal power

—B. N. Cardozo

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.

Synonyms of aggrandize

Verb

• elevate
• promote

Examples of aggrandize in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

The Constitution’s glitterati, present at the creation, were unanimous in fearing the executive branch would concoct excuses for pointless wars to aggrandize power and crush unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. —Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2026

Its character is aggrandized posh. —Christopher Robbins, Curbed, 9 Feb. 2026

But Leavitt has become a master of the art of political language, wielded to aggrandize her boss, belittle his opponents and deflect attention from administration scandals. —Laura Beers, The Conversation, 17 Dec. 2025

Vrabel has modernized, professionalized and aggrandized the Patriots in a matter of months. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

borrowed from French agrandissement, going back to Middle French, from agrandiss-, stem of agrandir "to make larger, aggrandize" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

Verb

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aggrandize

• advertise
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies
• catalyze

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Kids Definition

aggrandize

verb

ag·​gran·​dize ə-ˈgran-ˌdīz 

also ˈag-rən-

aggrandized; aggrandizing

: to make great or greater (as in power, wealth, or reputation)

aggrandizement

ə-ˈgran-dəz-mənt 

-ˌdīz-

also ˌag-rən-ˈdīz-mənt

noun

aggrandizer noun