engrandize

Verb

aggrandize (third-person singular simple present aggrandizes, present participle aggrandizing, simple past and past participle aggrandized)

1. (transitive) To make great; to enlarge; to increase.
   • to aggrandize one's authority, distress

   Synonyms:

   embiggen, greaten, grow

2. (transitive) To make great or greater in power, rank, honor, or wealth (applied to persons, countries, etc.).
   • […] the aggrandizing of your estate by well managed fortune […] may well set out your praises to the world […]1635, David Person, “To the Right Honovrable Thomas Earle of Hadington”, in Varieties, London: Thomas Alchorn

   Synonyms:

   elevate, empower, ennoble

3. (formal, transitive) To make appear great or greater; to exalt.
   • aggrandize one's accomplishments and downplay others'

   Synonyms:

   extol, laud, praise, applaud, enthrone, appraise, belaud, bepraise, commend, cry up

4. (intransitive, rare) To increase or become great.
   • The generals, like Hitler, wanted Germany to aggrandize at the expense of neighboring countries, and to do so if necessary by force or threat of force.1946, Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality, Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Volume 2, Washington: United States Government Printing Office, p. 317

   Synonyms:

   enlarge, expand, swell