Skip to content
GREMockTests
GRE vocabulary

aggrandize

verbHigh-frequency wordMore A words

to increase the power, wealth, or reputation of

Word origin: From French agrandir, to make greater (a- to plus grandir to grow).

Start a free GRE mock test 39 minutes · free · instant score
In a sentence

Aggrandize in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing aggrandize in a sentence.

The dictator used propaganda to aggrandize his image among the people.

Critics argued that the memoir served mainly to aggrandize its author at the expense of his collaborators.

Synonyms
enhanceexaltamplify
Antonyms
diminishbelittledeflate

Quick GRE check

Question 1 of 3

3 questions, about 2 minutes. How would you do on the real test?

Verbal · Sentence Equivalence

Once a blank supporter of the policy, the governor now denounces it at every opportunity, embarrassed that she ever endorsed it.

Select the two answers that give the sentence the same meaning. 0 of 2 selected.

Usage & nuance

Using “aggrandize” well

Aggrandize means to enlarge power, wealth, or reputation, often with a self-serving or exaggerating connotation. The reflexive self-aggrandize underscores boosting one's own importance.

Common questions

Questions about “aggrandize”

Aggrandize (verb) means to increase the power, wealth, or reputation of
Here is aggrandize used in an example sentence: "The dictator used propaganda to aggrandize his image among the people." Another example: "Critics argued that the memoir served mainly to aggrandize its author at the expense of his collaborators."
Common synonyms for aggrandize include enhance, exalt, amplify.
Antonyms of aggrandize include diminish, belittle, deflate.
Aggrandize pairs with enhance, exalt, and amplify in GRE Verbal. Its antonyms diminish, belittle, and deflate signal a reduction in stature.
Yes. Aggrandize is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

See these words the way the GRE tests them.

Take the free 39-minute GRE Quick Mock Test and meet words like this inside real Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence questions, with a worked solution for every answer.