Word: aggrandize (verb)

Associations

The word "aggrandize" means to make something appear greater, more powerful, or more important than it really is. It is often used when someone tries to increase their own status or the importance of something.

• He tried to aggrandize his role in the project to impress his boss. (He made his role seem more important.)
• The company aggrandized its achievements in the advertisement. (The company made its achievements look bigger or better.)
• Politicians sometimes aggrandize their successes to gain more support. (They exaggerate their successes.)

Synonym: "exaggerate" is similar but more general, meaning to make something seem bigger or better than it is. "Aggrandize" often implies increasing power or status, not just size or amount.

Substitution

You can replace "aggrandize" with:

• exaggerate (makes something seem bigger, but less formal)
• enhance (make better or improve, but less about power)
• glorify (make something seem better, often with admiration)
• magnify (make something appear larger, usually physically or figuratively)

Each word changes the tone slightly. For example, "exaggerate" can be negative, while "glorify" is more positive.

Deconstruction

"Aggrandize" comes from the root "grand," which means large or great. The prefix "ag-" is a form of "ad-" meaning "to" or "toward." The suffix "-ize" means to make or cause. So, "aggrandize" literally means "to make great" or "to increase greatness."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when someone aggrandized their achievements? How did it make you feel?
• How is aggrandizing different from simply telling the truth about success?
• In what situations might aggrandizing be harmful or helpful?