What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
aggrandize
Example
The politician tried to aggrandize his achievements by exaggerating his accomplishments. [aggrandize: verb]
Example
She always tries to aggrandize herself by boasting about her connections and wealth. [aggrandizing: present participle]
magnify
Example
The microscope can magnify objects up to 1000 times their original size. [magnify: verb]
Example
The media tends to magnify small issues into major controversies. [magnifying: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Magnify is more commonly used than aggrandize in everyday language. Magnify is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while aggrandize is less common and often has a negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between aggrandize and magnify?
Both aggrandize and magnify are formal words that are typically used in academic or professional contexts. However, aggrandize may be perceived as more pretentious or insincere due to its negative connotation.
