aggrandize
Make seem greater
To aggrandize is to make something appear greater or more important than it is—to enlarge, exalt, or enhance in power, wealth, or status.
The word often carries a whiff of criticism, suggesting inflation beyond merit: He used the office to aggrandize himself rather than serve constituents.
Self-aggrandizement is the noun for this tendency toward puffing oneself up.
Praise to excess
- exaltPraise with great intensity
- extolPraise with enthusiasm
- laudTo voice high esteem
- lionizeTreat as famous
venerate · idolize · deify · worship · adulate · flatter · fawn · sycophant
Overstate beyond truth
- embellishAdd decorative elements
- overstateRepresent as greater
- magnifyIncrease perceived size
- amplifyIncrease in strength
puff · bloat · boast · brag · swagger · pomposity · grandiosity · pretension
Increase in size
- extendMake longer or larger
- augmentIncrease in size
- amplifyIncrease in strength
- escalateIncrease in severity
broaden · widen · annexation · territory · colonization · acquisition · sprawl · proliferation
Reputation commanding admiration
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
prominence · renown · notability · standing · rank · stature · dignity · preeminence
Domain under unified control
- conquestDefeating and seizing control
- dominionAuthority to rule
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
authority · supremacy · dynasty · reign · ruler · monarch · dictator · tyrant
Wealth or destiny
- richesAbundant valuable possessions
- affluenceAbundance of money
- opulenceShowy, abundant prosperity
- prosperityGood fortune, success
accumulation · tycoon · billionaire · millionaire · plutocrat · mogul · inheritance · capital
glorify
Praise to excess
lionize · venerate · idolize · deify · worship · adulate · flatter · fawn · sycophant · panegyric
exaggerate
Overstate beyond truth
amplify · puff · bloat · boast · brag · swagger · pomposity · grandiosity · pretension · bombast
enlarge
Increase in size
escalate · broaden · widen · annexation · territory · colonization · acquisition · sprawl · proliferation · domain
prestige
Reputation commanding admiration
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
eminence · prominence · renown · notability · standing · rank · stature · dignity · preeminence · nobility
empire
Domain under unified control
sovereignty · authority · supremacy · dynasty · reign · ruler · monarch · dictator · tyrant · autocrat
fortune
Wealth or destiny
prosperity · accumulation · tycoon · billionaire · millionaire · plutocrat · mogul · inheritance · capital · luxury
aggrandizes, aggrandizement, aggrandized, aggrandisement, aggrandizing