What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
engrandize
Example
The politician tried to engrandize his accomplishments to win over voters. [engrandize: verb]
Example
She has a tendency to engrandize her role in the project to impress others. [engrandizing: gerund or present participle]
aggrandize
Example
The CEO sought to aggrandize the company by expanding its operations overseas. [aggrandize: verb]
Example
He tends to aggrandize his achievements, but they are actually quite modest. [aggrandizing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Aggrandize is more commonly used than engrandize in everyday language, and it has a wider range of applications.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between engrandize and aggrandize?
Both engrandize and aggrandize are formal words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, aggrandize is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while engrandize is less common and may be perceived as overly formal or pretentious.