AGGRANDIZE

to increase in intensity, power, influence or prestige

to make appear great or greater: praise highly

add details to

SYN - blow up, dramatize, embellish, embroider, pad

"They had a plan first figure out a way to aggrandize Mr. Taylor's position in the community, then when his power, influence and prestige were at their highest start their campaign to build the school."

"It was this sort of self-aggrandizement, where bill would rob and kill his rivals to increase his influence, power and presitige, that would prevent bill from having a chance with the one women he loved."

"The last thing anyone wanted was for the conflict to aggrandize any further."

"By creating this simple illusion he was able to agrandize the emporer's height."