expansive

adjective

ik-ˈspan(t)-siv How to pronounce expansive (audio)
Definition of expansivenext
as in extensive
having considerable extent as the river nears the end of its long journey to the sea it becomes quite expansive in breadth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 expansive With its satin-matte technology and expansive shade range, the original Pro Filt’r Soft Matte foundation revolutionized how other brands approached shades, undertones, and pigments when building their own foundation libraries. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026 That love, shared between Amy’s heartbreakingly adorable parents Birdie (Marion Bailey) and Geoff (Paul Jesson), has modeled Amy’s worldview from birth, and has proven expansive enough to cover Rosie as well. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026 Black rat snakes occupy an expansive range of habitats, from swamps and marshes to forests and fields. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026 The film is beautifully shot, making terrific use of frames both expansive and intimate. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expansive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expansive
  1. extensive
  2. broad
  3. wide
  4. sweeping
  5. deep
Adjective
  • All require extensive discussion which would bring up a multitude of additional questions.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Fault-tolerant machines require extensive error correction, which adds more hardware and control requirements.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of extensive
Adjective
  • Sunderland, of course, spent heavily last season after coming up from the Championship, and there is a broad consensus that promoted teams need to do so to quickly bring their squads up to scratch.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The approach fits the US military’s broader effort to increase the availability of hypersonic flight-test infrastructure.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of broad
Adjective
  • OpenAI’s recent proof, for instance, has yet to receive verification from the wider mathematical community.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Washington did grow, and for years tourists and residents flocked to the Capitol’s wide terrace overlooking the National Mall, especially at sunset.
    — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of wide
Adjective
  • But even with its new foundation and sweeping ceiling, the history of the old, deteriorating barn won’t be lost.
    — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
  • New York City just instituted a sweeping ban on schools using AI in the classroom through the start of high school, along with other restrictions on the technology.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of sweeping
Adjective
  • Many athletes are motivated by a deep hatred of losing, more so than a love of winning.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • There’s also a deep respect for craftsmanship—from marble carving, for which the Cyclades are famous, to fishing, farming, and handmade work.
    — Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of deep

Browse Nearby Words

expansions
expansive
ex parte
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expansive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expansive. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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