aggrandize

What does “aggrandize” mean?

verb.to increase the power, status, or wealth of.

SAT Usage

This verb is often found in passages discussing ambition, politics, or historical contexts, where individuals or groups seek to elevate their influence or resources. It implies a deliberate effort to enhance one's reputation or authority, distinguishing it from terms like "enrich," which may not carry the same connotation of self-serving motivation or ambition.

Common Confusions

Aggrandize implies a deliberate effort to increase one's power or status, while enhance usually suggests a general improvement without the self-serving connotation.

Example Sentences

• He used the position to aggrandize himself rather than serve others.

• His constant need to aggrandize his accomplishments often alienated his colleagues, who viewed his braggadocio as a sign of insecurity rather than confidence.

Word Parts: How to Remember “aggrandize”

Break “aggrandize” into its parts: ad- (to, toward). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: ad- to, toward (Latin)