To make something stronger, louder, or more intense. It can refer to sound, electrical signals, or even ideas and feelings.
From Latin *amplificāre* (“to enlarge, expand”), from *amplus* (“large, abundant”) and *-ficāre* (“to make”). It entered English through French and was used both literally and figuratively.
To amplify is literally to “make large,” whether it’s sound waves or someone’s voice in a debate. Social media is an enormous amplifier, deciding which messages swell and which stay quiet. It’s a power word about who and what gets heard.
In activism, ‘amplify’ is used for raising the visibility of marginalized voices, including women and gender minorities whose contributions were historically minimized. The term itself is neutral, but it is embedded in discourse about correcting representational imbalances.
Be explicit about whose voices or perspectives are being amplified and avoid tokenism; ensure amplification includes women and gender‑diverse people where relevant.
["highlight","elevate","boost","make more visible"]
When discussing amplification of ideas, note that women’s work has often needed deliberate amplification to counter systemic under‑recognition.
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