make much

English

Verb

make much (third-person singular simple present makes much, present participle making much, simple past and past participle made much)

1. (usually with "of") To emphasize, put much value on.
   • 2004, Markman Ellis, The Politics of Sensibility, page 74:

     Many readers too, have made much of the signifying force of the connection between Sterne and the starling.

   • 2020 May 20, John Crosse, “Soon to be gone... but never forgotten”, in Rail, page 63:

     Northern made much of the scrapping of the first of the Pacers (142005), and to date 35 of its Class 142s have been scrapped, with a further 11 off-lease at Gascoigne Wood.

   • 2025 September 9, Phil McNulty, “England 3-0 Wales”, in BBC‎:

     […] Much has been made of Tuchel's decision to exclude Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, despite the player's wish to be included, but in his absence Villa's Rogers justified that choice with another fine performance.

2. (usually with "of") To give fond attention to; to cosset.
   • 2012, Albert Payson Terhune, Bruce, page 119:

     Usually, on such visits, the colonel made much of the dog. Today he merely glanced up abstractedly from his writing, at sight of Bruce's silken head at his side.

Synonyms

• (emphasize): betone, stress, underscore
• (give fond attention to): coddle, pamper, posset; see also Thesaurus:pamper