self-aggrandizement: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Low FrequencyFormal, Academic, Critical (often used in political, historical, and sociological analysis)
Quick answer
What does “self-aggrandizement” mean?
The act of making oneself seem more important, powerful, or successful than one really is.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of making oneself seem more important, powerful, or successful than one really is.
A conscious and often systematic effort to increase one's own power, status, wealth, or reputation, frequently through exaggeration, self-promotion, or the appropriation of others' achievements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK spelling: 'self-aggrandisement' (with 's'). US spelling: 'self-aggrandizement' (with 'z'). No difference in meaning or usage beyond the spelling.
Connotations
Identical negative connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US political discourse, but the term is equally recognised and used in formal UK contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “self-aggrandizement” in a Sentence
[Subject] + engage in/be accused of/pursue + self-aggrandizementSelf-aggrandizement + at the expense of + [object]A policy/a project of + self-aggrandizementVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “self-aggrandizement” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The minister was accused of seeking to self-aggrandise at the public's expense.
American English
- The CEO's memoir was seen as an attempt to self-aggrandize.
adverb
British English
- He spoke self-aggrandisingly about his minor role in the deal.
American English
- The biography was written self-aggrandizingly, ignoring the contributions of others.
adjective
British English
- His self-aggrandising tendencies were evident in the opulent redesign of his office.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Criticising a CEO for prioritising their personal brand and lavish office over company performance.
Academic
Analysing the motivations of historical rulers in commissioning monumental architecture.
Everyday
Rarely used; might describe a colleague who constantly takes credit for team projects.
Technical
Used in political science and sociology to describe autocratic behaviour or the consolidation of personal power within institutions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “self-aggrandizement”
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “self-aggrandizement”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “self-aggrandizement”
- Misspelling: 'self-agrandizement' (missing 'g'). Incorrect Part of Speech: Using it as a verb ('He self-aggrandizes' is rare; 'He engages in self-aggrandizement' is standard). Confusing it with 'self-esteem' (which is positive self-worth).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it carries a strongly critical or pejorative connotation. It implies the action is excessive, unjustified, and motivated by egotism.
Ambition can be neutral or positive, describing a desire to achieve. Self-aggrandizement is specifically the act of inflating one's own importance, often deceitfully or at others' expense. All self-aggrandizement is ambitious, but not all ambition is self-aggrandizing.
Yes, it can be used metonymically. E.g., 'The dam project became an exercise in national self-aggrandizement,' meaning the project served to make the nation (its leaders) seem grand.
Pronounce both 'g's as a hard /g/ sound, like in 'go' or 'big'. The word is pronounced ag-GRAN-dize-ment.
The act of making oneself seem more important, powerful, or successful than one really is.
Self-aggrandizement is usually formal, academic, critical (often used in political, historical, and sociological analysis) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Building one's own empire”
- “Feathering one's own nest (related, but more material)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SELF' + 'AGGRANDIZE' (to make grand/larger) + 'MENT' (the act of). It's the act of making your *self* seem *grand*.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELF IS AN EMPIRE / SELF IS A MONUMENT (building up the self as one builds a grand structure or realm).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'self-aggrandizement' LEAST likely to be used?