magnify
verb
mag·ni·fy
ˈmag-nə-ˌfī 
magnified; magnifying
1
2
a
: to increase in significance : intensify
… real drama … will use ugliness to magnify beauty …—
Alan Mickle
Alan Mickle
b
: exaggerate
magnifies every minor issue to crisis proportions
3
: to enlarge in fact or in appearance
The lens magnified the image 100 times.
: to have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they are
a glass that magnifies greatly
Examples of magnify in a Sentence
The sound was magnified by the calm air.
His failures have been magnified by the success of his friends.
I don't want to magnify the importance of these problems.
The lens magnified the image 100 times.
a magnified view of the image
Recent Examples on the Web
In the recent durability test, BYD’s engineers repeatedly hoisted the tree to a vertical position and let the almost 2-ton tree crash down on the roof three times from increasing distances to magnify the force.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
Perhaps the most jaw-dropping exhibit is Simone Crestani’s brilliant display of lights magnified by approximately 15,000 handblown glass orbs in the shape of sea creatures such as coral, sea urchins, and barnacles.
—Siobhan Morrissey, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
Tessa’s impassioned dedication to uplift and magnify boundary pushing stories and unique perspectives has been incredibly inspiring.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Nov. 2025
The holiday surge magnifies these risks.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for magnify
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
Perhaps the most jaw-dropping exhibit is Simone Crestani’s brilliant display of lights magnified by approximately 15,000 handblown glass orbs in the shape of sea creatures such as coral, sea urchins, and barnacles.
—Siobhan Morrissey, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
Tessa’s impassioned dedication to uplift and magnify boundary pushing stories and unique perspectives has been incredibly inspiring.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Nov. 2025
The holiday surge magnifies these risks.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for magnify
Cite this Entry
“Magnify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnify. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
magnify
verb
mag·ni·fy
ˈmag-nə-ˌfī
magnified; magnifying
2
a
: to increase in importance
b
3
: to enlarge in fact or in appearance
a microscope magnifies an object seen through it
magnifier
noun
-ˌfī(-ə)r
Medical Definition
magnify
verb
mag·ni·fy
ˈmag-nə-ˌfī
magnified; magnifying
: to enlarge in appearance
: to have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they are
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