magnify

verb

mag·​ni·​fy ˈmag-nə-ˌfī How to pronounce magnify (audio)
magnified; magnifying

transitive verb

1
a
: extol, laud
while they magnified the art, they often belittled the artistHavelock Ellis
b
: to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect
2
a
: to increase in significance : intensify
real drama … will use ugliness to magnify beautyAlan Mickle
b
: exaggerate
magnifies every minor issue to crisis proportions
3
: to enlarge in fact or in appearance
The lens magnified the image 100 times.

intransitive verb

: to have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they are
a glass that magnifies greatly

Examples of magnify in a Sentence

The sound was magnified by the calm air. His failures have been magnified by the success of his friends. I don't want to magnify the importance of these problems. The lens magnified the image 100 times. a magnified view of the image
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That’s magnified with New Orleans having lost seven consecutive after starting 2-0. Vincent Frank, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Design teams also harness traditional decorative arts techniques to magnify the tensions of establishing a home in the U.S. Jacoba Urist, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024 People from low-income backgrounds typically cannot afford to pursue art careers, and the tumultuous economic situation of Nigeria only serves to magnify that problem. Tobe Otuogbodor, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2024 With the election only four days away, every utterance is magnified, as Republicans and Democrats battle for any small advantage that might tip the scales in their favor for what’s lining up to be a photo finish. Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for magnify 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English magnifien, from Anglo-French magnifier, from Latin magnificare, from magnificus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of magnify was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near magnify

Cite this Entry

“Magnify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnify. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

magnify

verb
mag·​ni·​fy ˈmag-nə-ˌfī How to pronounce magnify (audio)
magnified; magnifying
1
2
a
: to increase in importance
3
: to enlarge in fact or in appearance
a microscope magnifies an object seen through it
magnifier
-ˌfī(-ə)r
noun

Medical Definition

magnify

verb
mag·​ni·​fy ˈmag-nə-ˌfī How to pronounce magnify (audio)
magnified; magnifying

transitive verb

: to enlarge in appearance

intransitive verb

: to have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they are

More from Merriam-Webster on magnify

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