1. (v. t.) To render larger, more extended, or more intense, and the like; -- used especially of telescopes, microscopes, etc.

2. (v. t.) To enlarge by addition or discussion; to treat copiously by adding particulars, illustrations, etc.; to expand; to make much of.

3. (v. i.) To become larger.

4. (v. i.) To speak largely or copiously; to be diffuse in argument or description; to dilate; to expatiate; -- often with on or upon.

add to agent provocateur aggrandize aggravate annoy augment ballyhoo bloat blow up boost broaden build build up bulk bulk out burlesque caricature carry too far charge complete crescendo deepen descant detail deteriorate develop dilate distend draw the longbow elaborate electrify embellish embitter embroider energize enhance enlarge enlarge upon enter into detail evolve exacerbate exaggerate exalt exasperate expand expatiate explicate extend fatten fill out galvanize generate go into go to extremes heat up heighten hike hike up hot up huff hyperbolize increase inflate intensify irritate jack up jump up labor lay it on lengthen loop in magnify make acute make much of make worse maximize overcharge overdo overdraw overestimate overpraise overreach overreact oversell overspeak overstate overstress parlay particularize pile it on plug in provoke puff puff up pump pump up put up pyramid raise rarefy rehearse in extenso relate at large sharpen shock short short-circuit sour spell out step down step up stiffen stretch stretch the truth sufflate supplement swell switch off switch on talk big talk in superlatives thicken tout travesty turn off turn on unfold up widen work out worsen