enlarge

verb

en·large in-ˈlärj

en-

enlarged; enlarging

Synonyms of enlarge next

transitive verb

: to make larger : extend

enlarged the family fortune with new investments

: to give greater scope to : expand

education may enlarge one's view of the world

: to set free

enlarge a captive

intransitive verb

: to grow larger

: to speak or write at length : elaborate

let me enlarge upon that point

enlargeable

in-ˈlär-jə-bəl

en-

adjective

enlarger noun

Choose the Right Synonym for enlarge

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater.

increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity

his waistline increased with age

; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

increased her landholdings

enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Example Sentences

We had the photograph enlarged. as the number of people with cell phones enlarges, more transmission towers will have to be built

Recent Examples on the Web That is a great advantage, of course, but 3D also shows every mistake, they are enlarged as well. —

Leo Barraclough, Variety, 28 May 2023 Visitors are asked to see and consider multiple versions of themselves, refracted, enlarged, miniature and amorphous. —

Elizabeth Myong, Dallas News, 26 May 2023 The landslide was first observed on March 21 and enlarged over the next several days, reaching the southbound shoulder on March 29, Comeaux said. —

Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2023 And if they can be made to bear children, his work force will be enlarged at little cost. —

Alida Becker, New York Times, 5 May 2023 And, unlike other types of in-ground pool, existing concrete pools can be remodeled, enlarged, and updated. —

Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 29 Apr. 2023 On Monday, Bieber posted an image from Ocean’s performance — a documentary-style photo of his face enlarged on a massive screen — alongside a caption sharing his thoughts. —

Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2023 Full River Red enlarges the gallows humor of A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop (2009), Zhang’s refinement of the Coen brothers’ Blood Simple. —

Armond White, National Review, 22 Mar. 2023 Finally, the rear anti-roll bar has been enlarged from 0.8 to 1.0 inch in diameter. —

Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 21 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enlarge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.