aggrandize

USAGE SUMMARY

'aggrandize' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means to make something or someone greater or more important, often in an exaggerated way. Example sentence: The company tried to aggrandize their product by featuring it in a major advertisement.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The rapine and massacre of the Thirty Years' War (1618 48) yielded to wars waged for raison d'état, to aggrandize the interests of the ruler and through him the state.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We aggrandize it just a little by the way that we warm to it.

Independent

Since no agreement could be reached on whether the newly acquired lands should aggrandize the Hungarian or the Austrian part of the monarchy, they were placed under the jurisdiction of the common Habsburg ministry of finance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With supreme authority secure and good order prevailing, the ruler proceeds to aggrandize his realm by means of military power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Persons of superior ability, he argued, actively seek to confirm and aggrandize their social position.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even from a Renaissance viewpoint, his relentless pursuit of political goals and unremitting efforts to aggrandize his family were seen as excessive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

And when positive posts decrease, people might not actually feel less happy — they might just feel less of a need to self-aggrandize in order to keep up with their friends.

The New Yorker

In spite of a tendency to self-aggrandize, calling attention to his own talent as publisher, art director and writer — and as an indefatigable, irresistible and "classically proportioned" lover — Picano has assembled a tremendously entertaining collection of anecdotes and portraits that only a witness (and a good writer) could report in such vivid detail.

The New York Times - Books

The resulting Treaties of Nijmegen (1678 79) between France and the Grand Alliance left the Dutch Republic intact and France generously aggrandized in the Spanish Netherlands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Is he serving the public or is he aggrandizing himself?" he added, referring to Penn.

Independent

Like many homesick people, living outside their language in an abrasive foreign culture, Qutb aggrandized his loneliness into heroic solitude.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aggrandize" when you want to convey the idea of making something appear greater than it actually is, especially in terms of power, wealth, or status.

Common error

Avoid using "aggrandize" in simple contexts where a more straightforward word like "increase" or "enlarge" would suffice. "Aggrandize" carries a connotation of exaggeration or self-importance, so use it judiciously.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "aggrandize" is a transitive verb. It describes the action of making someone or something appear greater, more powerful, or more important. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts, such as rulers seeking to expand their realms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "aggrandize" functions as a transitive verb that means to increase the power, status, or wealth of someone or something. Ludwig AI identifies its grammatical status as correct, with very common usage in news media, encyclopedias and formal contexts. When aiming for clarity and directness in your writing, remember that while "aggrandize" effectively conveys the idea of enhancement, it is best reserved for situations where a simpler term would not suffice. By considering these nuances, you can wield "aggrandize" effectively, adding precision and depth to your written expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elevate

Focuses on raising someone or something to a higher position or status.

augment

Emphasizes adding to something to increase its size or value.

magnify

Highlights making something appear larger or more significant, sometimes beyond reality.

exalt

Implies praising or glorifying someone or something to a high degree.

enhance

Suggests improving the quality or desirability of something.

amplify

Focuses on increasing the intensity or loudness of something.

build up

Indicates a gradual process of increasing something over time.

expand

Refers to increasing the size or scope of something.

promote

Suggests advancing someone or something to a higher position or rank.

intensify

Emphasizes increasing the strength or degree of something.

FAQs

How can I use "aggrandize" in a sentence?

You can use "aggrandize" to describe actions that make someone or something appear more powerful or important, for example, "The ruler sought to aggrandize his kingdom through conquest".

What are some synonyms for "aggrandize"?

Alternatives to "aggrandize" include "elevate", "augment", and "magnify", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it better to use "aggrandize" or "exaggerate"?

"Aggrandize" implies making something seem greater in terms of power or status, while "exaggerate" means to overstate or overemphasize something. The choice depends on the specific context and intended meaning.

What is the difference between "aggrandize" and "promote"?

"Aggrandize" often suggests an attempt to inflate importance, sometimes artificially, whereas "promote" usually implies legitimate advancement or endorsement.