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
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
At a time of surging inflation, high unemployment and dwindling savings, the scarcity of cash has magnified the financial squeeze on families — some of whom have begun to sell their possessions to buy essential goods.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Fortune, 11 July 2025
Injuries, bad trades or bad signings are magnified for small-market teams like the Orioles.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2025
The Trust Deficit Social media has created echo chambers where any misstep is magnified and authenticity is scrutinized under an unforgiving microscope.
—Talie Smith, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Its effect is magnified in the lobby, which features more glass and polished metal to reflect the light, and give the space a sense of airiness.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for magnify
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Wafaa Shurafa, Fortune, 11 July 2025
Injuries, bad trades or bad signings are magnified for small-market teams like the Orioles.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2025
The Trust Deficit Social media has created echo chambers where any misstep is magnified and authenticity is scrutinized under an unforgiving microscope.
—Talie Smith, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Its effect is magnified in the lobby, which features more glass and polished metal to reflect the light, and give the space a sense of airiness.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for magnify
Cite this Entry
“Magnify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnify. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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
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