magnify
verb
mag·ni·fy
ˈmag-nə-ˌfī 
magnified; magnifying
1
2
a
: to increase in significance : intensify
real drama … will use ugliness to magnify beauty—
Alan Mickle
Alan 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.
: to have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they are
a glass that magnifies greatly
Synonyms
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
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 
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.
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
Dictionary Entries Near magnify
Cite this Entry
“Magnify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnify. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
magnify
verb
mag·ni·fy
ˈmag-nə-ˌfī
magnified; magnifying
2
a
: to increase in importance
b
3
: to enlarge in fact or in appearance
a microscope magnifies an object seen through it
magnifier
noun
-ˌfī(-ə)r
Medical Definition
magnify
verb
mag·ni·fy
ˈmag-nə-ˌfī
magnified; magnifying
: to enlarge in appearance
: to have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they are
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share