extensive

adjective

ex·​ten·​sive ik-ˈsten(t)-siv 

1

: having wide or considerable extent

extensive reading

2

: extensional

3

: of, relating to, or constituting farming in which large areas of land are utilized with minimum outlay and labor

extensively adverb

extensiveness noun

Synonyms of extensive

• broad
• wide
• sweeping
• comprehensive
• deep
• expansive
• extended
• widespread

Examples of extensive in a Sentence

The storm caused extensive damage.

an extensive series of tests

Recent Examples on the Web

There have been plenty of those in recent times, but the club must now hope this is the start of a period of stability after an extensive period of restructuring. — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The new propulsion solution is supported by Kongsberg Maritime’s global service organisation, leveraging extensive experience from the company’s existing large scale thruster portfolio to ensure reliable lifecycle support worldwide. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Tommy Scirrotto, a resident, said the flooding caused extensive damage to four bedrooms on the lower level of the home, according to a GoFundMe post. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Syria was believed to have operated an extensive undeclared nuclear program under Assad that included a nuclear reactor built by North Korea in eastern Deir el-Zour province. — Stephanie Liechtenstein, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for extensive

• defensive
• expensive
• intensive
• offensive
• ostensive
• prehensive
• suspensive
• antihypertensive
• apprehensive
• coextensive
• comprehensive
• hypertensive

Kids Definition

extensive

adjective

ex·​ten·​sive ik-ˈsten(t)-siv 

: having wide or large extent

extensively adverb

extensiveness noun