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Aggrandizement: meaning, definitions and examples

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aggrandizement

 

[ əˈɡrændɪzaɪzmənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

personal gain

Aggrandizement refers to the act of increasing one's power, wealth, or status. It often implies self-serving motives and can apply to both individuals and organizations. The term can carry a negative connotation, suggesting that the increase is achieved at the expense of others.

Synonyms

enhancement, exaggeration, magnification

Examples of usage

  • The politician's aggrandizement was evident in his lavish spending on campaign ads.
  • Her constant aggrandizement of her achievements alienated her colleagues.
  • The company was accused of financial aggrandizement through overly ambitious projections.

Translations

Translations of the word "aggrandizement" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aggrandizamento

🇮🇳 विस्तार

🇩🇪 Aufblähung

🇮🇩 pembesaran

🇺🇦 збільшення

🇵🇱 powiększenie

🇯🇵 拡大

🇫🇷 agrandissement

🇪🇸 agrandecimiento

🇹🇷 büyütme

🇰🇷 확장

🇸🇦 تضخيم

🇨🇿 zvětšení

🇸🇰 zväčšenie

🇨🇳 扩大

🇸🇮 povečanje

🇮🇸 stækkun

🇰🇿 ұлғайту

🇬🇪 გაფართოება

🇦🇿 genişlənmə

🇲🇽 agrandecimiento

Word origin

The word 'aggrandizement' comes from the French 'aggrandir', meaning 'to enlarge or increase', which itself derives from the Latin 'aggrandire', where 'ad-' means 'to' and 'grandis' means 'great'. This etymological background reflects the essence of the word, emphasizing enlargement not only in a physical sense but also in terms of importance and influence. The term began to gain prominence in the English language in the early 18th century, often used in political and business contexts to describe the ambition or actions aimed at elevating one's position or authority. Over time, 'aggrandizement' has been utilized in various discussions related to personal gains, corporate behavior, and even colonial expansion, highlighting its multifaceted implications in social and political spheres.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,866, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.