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mag·ni·fy
 magnify
- pronunciation:
- maeg
nih
faI
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
magnified, magnifies, magnifying |
| definition 1: |
to cause to appear larger, as through the use of a lens.
A telescope magnifies the light of the stars.Reading glasses that you buy in a store simply magnify the print.- synonyms:
- blow up, exaggerate
- similar words:
- aggrandize, amplify, enlarge, expand on, inflate
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| definition 2: |
to increase the actual size of; enlarge.
The recent heavy rains magnified the drainage problem in the city.Reports of ice on the roads magnified her concern over her husband's lateness.- synonyms:
- amplify, augment, boost, build, enlarge, increase
- antonyms:
- attenuate, minimize, reduce
- similar words:
- aggrandize, blow up, distend, heighten, inflate, maximize, swell
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| definition 3: |
to make (something) seem more important, often inappropriately or without warrant.
He tended to magnify his troubles to get sympathy.- synonyms:
- aggrandize, blow up, exaggerate, inflate, overstate
- antonyms:
- belittle, understate
- similar words:
- boost, glorify, hyperbolize, intensify, overrate, overvalue
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| related words: |
augment, compound, develop, dilate, embellish, embroider, exaggerate, exalt, extend, glorify, grow, idolize, overdo |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition: |
to make, or have the ability to make, something become or appear to become larger.
This side of the mirror magnifies.- synonyms:
- enlarge, exaggerate, increase
- similar words:
- hyperbolize
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| related words: |
amplify, augment, grow, zoom |
| derivations: |
magnifiable (adj.), magnifier (n.) |
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