aggrandizement
noun
Origin of aggrandizement
Words nearby aggrandizement
VOCAB BUILDER
What does aggrandizement mean?
Aggrandizement refers to the act of making something larger or greater. It specifically refers to inflating something or making someone appear more important or powerful than they really are.
This word is often seen in self-aggrandizement, or “the act of making oneself more important, powerful, or wealthy.” Aggrandizement is spelled with an S, aggrandisement, in British English.
Example: Concerned about the unintended aggrandizement of her accomplishments, the philanthropist did not conduct interviews about her work.
Where doe aggrandizement come from?
Aggrandizement is rooted in the French word agrandir, “to make larger or bigger.” Agrandir is ultimately derived from the Latin grandis, meaning “great” or “large.” Aggrandizement was first recorded in English in the 1650s with the meaning “the act of increasing one’s wealth, power, or status.”
Aggrandizement is a powerful vocabulary word to use to call out when someone is making themselves seem greater than they actually are, especially appearing in the compound self-aggrandizement. For example: The employee was accused of self-aggrandizement after it was discovered he padded his resume with awards and volunteer work.
Aggrandizement and self-aggrandizement can also describe when someone does something, such as running for office, for their own personal gain.
If you want to refer to a more literal increase in something’s size or intensity, without the negative connotation of aggrandizement, consider words like growth, expansion, enlargement, or proliferation.
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What are some other forms of aggrandizement?
- aggrandize (verb)
- self-aggrandize
What are some synonyms for aggrandizement?
What are some words that share a root or word element with aggrandizement?
What are some words that often get used in discussing aggrandizement?
What are some words aggrandizement may be commonly confused with?
How is aggrandizement used in real life?
Calling someone self-aggrandizing or using aggrandizement to describe them is a critique of their arrogance. This is particularly true when celebrities, politicians, and business people are accused of self-aggrandizement for some type of personal gain.
The story of all dictators according to GK Chesterton:
-rise to power
-eliminate enemies
-self-aggrandizement
-growing paranoia
-eliminate former supporters/friends
-final decline— Alyssa Stebbing (@unapobrecita) October 6, 2019
We hope to build a Nation where peace, equality, justice and fundamental liberty are the philosophical basis of its foundation. We need to rise above all form(s) of religious bigotry and against anyone fuelling ethnic jingoism or tribal hatred for self aggrandizement.
— Balogun Sofiyullahi (@iam_boas) October 1, 2019
transform your self-deprivation into cheerful self-aggrandizement with a dash of sharp humility ✨
— 🌱 (@flowingbrightly) September 10, 2019
Try using aggrandizement!
Which of the following is an antonym for aggrandizement?
A. glorification
B. amplification
C. elevation
D. abasement