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

Barrett and Jackson each reported the most extensive travel of court justices promoting their books in 2025. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 June 2026

The devastation is so extensive that Venezuelans in North Texas have stepped up to help. — Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Even after extensive engineering, Coach Eve would take about three seconds to reply to a question—a delay users felt was uncomfortable and unnatural. — Benjamin Wolff, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

That means the same extensive level of transparency, public education and community dialogue that informed the task force’s work must continue as policymakers evaluate options and implement reforms. — Karen Freeman-Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 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