magnify

[mag-nuh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

magnified, magnifying 

1. to increase the apparent size of, as a lens does.

   Antonyms: reduce

2. to make greater in actual size; enlarge.

   to magnify a drawing in preparing for a fresco.

   Synonyms: amplify, increase, augment
   Antonyms: reduce

3. to cause to seem greater or more important; attribute too much importance to; exaggerate.

   to magnify one's difficulties.

   Synonyms: overstate
   Antonyms: minimize

4. to make more exciting; intensify; dramatize; heighten.

   The playwright magnified the conflict to get her point across.

5. Archaic.,  to extol; praise.

   to magnify the Lord.

verb (used without object)

magnified, magnifying 

1. to increase or be able to increase the apparent or actual size of an object.

magnify

/ ˈmæɡnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to increase, cause to increase, or be increased in apparent size, as through the action of a lens, microscope, etc

2. to exaggerate or become exaggerated in importance

   don't magnify your troubles

3. rare,  (tr) to increase in actual size

4. archaic,  (tr) to glorify

Other Word Forms

• magnifiable adjective
• overmagnify verb (used with object)
• remagnify verb (used with object)
• unmagnified adjective
• unmagnifying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnify¹

1350–1400; Middle English magnifien < Latin magnificāre. See magni-, -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnify¹

C14: via Old French from Latin magnificāre to praise; see _magnific

Example Sentences

As most Angelenos will know, the further you move inland, the more the sun feels like someone’s shoved a magnifying glass in front of it.

From Los Angeles Times

Those fears were magnified when a widely shared video showed several residents apprehended at a bus stop in Pasadena.

From Los Angeles Times

What he didn’t say was that the skepticism was promoted by Kennedy and other anti-vaxxers denigrating the technology; a competent and responsible NIH chief would be defending a technological innovation, not magnifying disinformation about it.

From Los Angeles Times

This development highlights how often celebrities influence political debates, often provoking polarized reactions and magnifying contentious issues like immigration.

From Salon

“This is very different from other philanthropy. We have a different magnifying glass looking at us,” Reale said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aggravate 
• amplify 
• deepen 
• enhance 
• heighten 
• inflate 
• multiply