- Today's Word
Aggrandize
uh-GRAN-dyz
Definition
(verb) To increase the power, status, or reputation of something or someone.
Example
The article was designed to aggrandize the CEO despite the controversy.
Fun Fact
The word aggrandize is especially common in political commentary and media analysis, where it’s used to describe how people or institutions boost their image—often through exaggeration or selective storytelling. From emperors commissioning elaborate monuments to CEOs inflating their personal contributions, aggrandizing has always been about shaping perception more than reality. In literature, characters who aggrandize themselves—like Jay Gatsby or Iago—use charm, power, or deception to climb socially or mask their flaws. The word carries a subtle criticism: it suggests that the growth is often more about appearing bigger than being better.
(verb) To obtain something by persuasion, scheming, or clever manipulation.
He managed to wangle an invitation to the exclusive event through a friend of a friend.
Late 19th century: originally printers’ slang, possibly an alteration of “waggle” meaning “to move unsteadily,” suggesting indirect or roundabout methods.