magnifying
/ˈmæɡnɪˌfaɪɪŋ/
VERB
1. To praise or glorify
To praise, honor, or glorify someone or something, especially by emphasizing greatness, excellence, or divine importance.
1.1. Praise and admiration
Expressing strong approval, admiration, or appreciation for someone's qualities, achievements, or actions.
Synonyms
- acclaiming
- applauding
- celebrating
- commending
- extolling
- lauding
- praising
Antonyms
Examples
- The religious text is magnifying the greatness and mercy of God.
- The speaker is magnifying the contributions of everyone involved in the project.
Related Words
1.2. Glorification and exaltation
Portraying someone or something as exceptionally great, worthy of honor, or deserving of reverence.
Synonyms
- aggrandizing
- deifying
- dignifying
- ennobling
- exalting
- glorifying
- idealizing
- idolizing
Antonyms
- abasing
- belittling
- degrading
- demeaning
- humbling
- humiliating
Examples
- The biography is magnifying the hero's virtues and sacrifices.
- The painting is magnifying the ruler's greatness and authority.
Related Words
- canonizing
- enshrining
- enthroning
- adulating
- romanticizing
VERB
2. To make something larger or more important
To increase the physical size, extent, importance, influence, or significance of something.
2.1. Physical enlargement
Making an object, image, or structure larger in size or dimensions, including through optical instruments.
Synonyms
- enlarging
- expanding
- broadening
- lengthening
- stretching
Antonyms
- decreasing
- diminishing
- lessening
- reducing
- shrinking
Examples
- Using a magnifying glass, he is examining the intricate details of the ancient map.
- The scientist is magnifying the specimen under a microscope.
- Magnifying the image on the screen is revealing hidden patterns in the data.
Related Words
- augmenting
- amplifying
- extending
- widening
- magnification
2.2. Increasing importance or significance
Making an issue, quality, achievement, or situation more prominent, influential, or significant.
Synonyms
- accentuating
- emphasizing
- enhancing
- elevating
- heightening
- maximizing
- reinforcing
- strengthening
- stressing
Antonyms
- diminishing
- lessening
- minimizing
- moderating
- playing down
- understating
Examples
- The discovery is magnifying the importance of continued scientific research.
- The new evidence is magnifying the significance of the investigation.
Related Words
VERB
3. To make something appear greater or more important than it is
To exaggerate the apparent size, importance, seriousness, or extent of something.
3.1. Exaggeration and overstatement
Making facts, qualities, problems, or situations appear more significant or extreme than they actually are.
Synonyms
- exaggerating
- hyperbolizing
- overemphasizing
- overplaying
- overstating
- playing up
Antonyms
- minimizing
- moderating
- playing down
- understating
Examples
- The media is magnifying minor disagreements into major controversies.
- The report is magnifying the risks while overlooking the potential benefits.
- He is magnifying the difficulties of the situation.
Related Words
- caricaturing
- embellishing
- fudging
- padding
- romanticizing
- sugarcoating
VERB
4. To intensify or increase an effect
To make an emotion, sensation, effect, or condition stronger, more noticeable, or more severe.
4.1. Intensification of feelings and effects
Increasing the strength, severity, or perceptibility of an emotion, sensation, reaction, or effect.
Synonyms
- aggravating
- deepening
- heightening
- intensifying
- sharpening
- stepping up
Antonyms
- abating
- alleviating
- easing
- lightening
- subduing
- weakening
Examples
- The narrow valley is magnifying the sound of the storm.
- Stress is magnifying minor inconveniences and making them seem overwhelming.
- The detective is magnifying every potential clue during the investigation.
Related Words
- accelerating
- boosting
- enhancing
- exacerbating
- reinforcing