noun
aggrandizement
uh-GRAN-diz-muhnt/əˈɡrændɪzmənt/
The act of making someone or something greater or seemingly greater in power or importance.
The towering statue serves the ruler’s aggrandizement.
Etymology
The noun names the process of making something greater. Its early sense of enlargement or advancement was usually nonphysical, connecting directly to increases in power, wealth, status, or importance.
In context
ambitious mothers scheme and intrigue for their own aggrandizement at sacrifice of their daughter's happiness
More examples
- Territorial aggrandizement became the empire's chief ambition.
- Her speech criticized the aggrandizement of executive power.
- The memoir contains more self-aggrandizement than honest reflection.
Forms
aggrandize verb — To increase power, status, or apparent importance.
Similar words
- expansion
- Emphasizes increased size or scope rather than status or prestige.
- glorification
- Emphasizes lavish praise rather than increased power or importance.