widened; widening
ˈwīd-niŋ 
ˈwī-dᵊn-iŋ
: to increase the width, scope, or extent of
widen a road
widen an investigation
: to become wide or wider
a widening gap
Examples of widen in a Sentence
The city is going to widen the road.
They plan to widen the investigation.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
They went swimming at a spot where the river widens.
The scope of the investigation has widened.
Recent Examples on the Web
Newcastle scouts watch local school and grassroots games featuring five, six and seven-year-olds, widening their network over recent years to give more kids the opportunity to be spotted.
—
George Caulkin, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
While the district would adapt, the reality is that students with the greatest needs would feel the impact first, and inequities between communities would widen.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
And that touchdown wasn’t just an exciting moment for the team, or a big play to widen the gap against New Mexico, but also an unforgettable moment for a boyhood Boise State fan.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
According to recent polls, a majority of Americans now believe that economic conditions are deteriorating, a trend that coincides with a government shutdown, inflation concerns, and widening partisan divides.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for widen
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George Caulkin, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
While the district would adapt, the reality is that students with the greatest needs would feel the impact first, and inequities between communities would widen.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
And that touchdown wasn’t just an exciting moment for the team, or a big play to widen the gap against New Mexico, but also an unforgettable moment for a boyhood Boise State fan.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
According to recent polls, a majority of Americans now believe that economic conditions are deteriorating, a trend that coincides with a government shutdown, inflation concerns, and widening partisan divides.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for widen
Cite this Entry
“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widen. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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