broaden

verb

broad·​en ˈbrȯ-dᵊn How to pronounce broaden (audio)
broadened; broadening ˈbrȯd-niŋ How to pronounce broaden (audio)
ˈbrȯ-dᵊn-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to become broad

Examples of broaden in a Sentence

They need to broaden their understanding of other cultures. The police have broadened the scope of the investigation. Her smile broadened when I told her the good news. The investigation has broadened to include the mayor's staff. His interests broadened to include art and music, not just sports.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Field believes one of the key intersections between AI and design is that AI tools will help broaden access, letting more people become designers. Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2025 In August, Judge Megan Marshall extended and broadened a temporary restraining order to prevent the release of photos from the victims' bedrooms, which will remain in force until a final decision is made, city administrator Bill Belknap told USA TODAY. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 This theory posits that positive emotions, such as happiness, broaden an individual’s awareness and emotional repertoire, encouraging novel and exploratory thoughts and actions. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Things to do in Paris with kids These seven uniquely Parisian things to do on your family trip mix bucket-list highlights with more offbeat finds, all sure to broaden kids’ cultural horizons. Elissa Garay, AFAR Media, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for broaden

Word History

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of broaden was in 1727

Cite this Entry

“Broaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broaden. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

broaden

verb
broad·​en ˈbrȯd-ᵊn How to pronounce broaden (audio)
broadened; broadening ˈbrȯd-niŋ How to pronounce broaden (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become broad or broader
broaden your horizons

More from Merriam-Webster on broaden

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!