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

Relevance

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 The illuminated front fascia, full-width lighting elements, and expansive glass roof create a modern aesthetic that feels premium rather than performative. — ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026 The spacecraft also measures the distribution of gas in the outer heliosphere, the expansive, protective bubble formed by a steady stream of particles that release from the sun called the solar wind. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 Such expansive views of individuals and nations are worth holding on to from each World Cup to the next. — The Monitor’s Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026 In our in-depth review, audio expert Tim Gideon gave these buds a solid rating for their expansive sound and unique design that will certainly garner a few glances. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for expansive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expansive
  1. extensive
  2. broad
  3. wide
  4. sweeping
  5. deep
Adjective
  • Thousands of documents released by the Justice Department showed that Ruemmler and Epstein had an extensive relationship.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
  • Fire officials said the home sustained extensive damage from fire, soot, smoke, and water.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Definition of extensive
Adjective
  • Shinto was formally separated from the state after World War II, but its traditions still reflect a broader history of religious and cultural influences.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • The investigation is part of a broader crackdown on what’s known as birth tourism, the practice of traveling to another country, so a child is born there.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2026
Definition of broad
Adjective
  • The fires that devastated Collins are part of a wider wildfire emergency unfolding across Canada, where 889 active fires were spreading as of Thursday night, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Scotland set up in a 5-4-1 with Ryan Christie and John McGinn timing when to jump from their wide midfield positions to press the centre-backs and trap their build-up play.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of wide
Adjective
  • Hiring Epstein as president of baseball operations after the 2011 season led to sweeping changes.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Health effects from inhaling wildfire smoke But the effects are sweeping, said Hayden, who has developed real-time mapping of mortality estimates from wildfire smoke.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Definition of sweeping
Adjective
  • Others demonstrate a star’s deep passion for agriculture or oenology.
    — Emily Saladino, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
  • That would explain another of the company’s findings, an uptick in country-specific exports after a deep run into the tournament.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 July 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 20 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on expansive

Nglish: Translation of expansive for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of raffish

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All