1
as in to develop
to express more fully and in greater detail an article on the First Ladies that the author later expanded into a book

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in to extend
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area a spare leaf for those times when we have to expand the dining table to accommodate extra guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb expand differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of expand are amplify, dilate, distend, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When can amplify be used instead of expand?

The meanings of amplify and expand largely overlap; however, amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When might dilate be a better fit than expand?

Although the words dilate and expand have much in common, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

When is distend a more appropriate choice than expand?

The words distend and expand can be used in similar contexts, but distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When is it sensible to use inflate instead of expand?

In some situations, the words inflate and expand are roughly equivalent. However, inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

In what contexts can swell take the place of expand?

While the synonyms swell and expand are close in meaning, swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of expand Environmental concerns have long hampered plans to expand the airport, as efforts to preserve the marshlands, which are a crucial source of freshwater for South Florida, have routinely clashed with business interests. Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 1 July 2025 In the last five years, the company has worked to expand internationally, with budding sectors in global markets including Latin America and the United States. Jem Aswad, Variety, 1 July 2025 Romanticize your sleep with Tekla’s dainty bedding Since launching in 2017, Tekla has expanded from bedding into sleepwear, bathroom sets, and more. Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 1 July 2025 Weeks later, the BBC expanded Frediani’s empire to include News at One. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for expand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expand
Verb
  • But while Sunday’s race will be a special landmark for Silverstone, reaping the rewards of F1’s popularity boom and its work to develop in recent years, the track’s focus lies on the future.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 July 2025
  • The grant is being accompanied by the formation of a new board to develop and oversee a reinvigorated vision that will carry the 180-year old cemetery into the future.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • Establishing a medical school here is expected to increase the likelihood of graduates practicing in the area, while addressing a national shortage of physicians.
    Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025
  • Speakers said recent actions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials had provoked increasing concern over the safety of local residents attending the Club World Cup games this summer at Hard Rock Stadium.
    CD Goette-Luciak, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The implications of the Democrats’ current predicament extend far beyond immediate legislative setbacks.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
  • Those benefits extend beyond Rosary’s walls, school leadership has said.
    Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Whether through the Deloitte Global FoF framework or others, leaders can benefit from taking a structured approach to investing in smart operations and to accelerating the convergence of IT and OT.
    John England, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Flooding that started slow was quickly accelerating.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The group of rats that was fed a diet supplemented with chitosan expelled more MPs that any of the other groups.
    Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Mütter’s bequest was eventually supplemented by donations from other physicians and scientists.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Edwards and Lopez flipping positions has augmented Miami defensively, and Edwards has continued to hit (.283, .358 on base).
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
  • That starts with understanding customers' needs, using agents to augment the work sellers do and then providing sales coaching on the go with a closed-loop learning system.
    Anand Shah, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Since then, other doors have opened for Blankenship, as well.
    Pam Windsor, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a query to determine if further action is needed to address a rollaway issue affecting 2013-2018 Ram trucks.
    Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Mason West is a 6-foot-6, 220-pound rising senior at Edina (Minn.) High School.
    Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025
  • Refill and reuse is a rising movement: both a return to commonsense practices our grandparents knew — and a path forward toward innovation.
    Rachel Bustamante, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expand. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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