enlarge

verb

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en·large | \ in-ˈlärj

, en- \

enlarged; enlarging

Definition of enlarge

transitive verb

1 : to make larger : extend enlarged the family fortune with new investments

2 : to give greater scope to : expand education may enlarge one's view of the world

3 : to set free enlarge a captive

intransitive verb

1 : to grow larger

2 : to speak or write at length : elaborate let me enlarge upon that point

Other Words from enlarge Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing enlarge Learn More About enlarge

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

Examples of enlarge in a Sentence

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 The homeowners, who had lived in one of the Central Park−facing apartments since 2004, seized the opportunity to enlarge the 2,000-square-foot home when a neighboring, 2,500-square-foot unit became available. — Alyssa Bird, ELLE Decor, 5 Aug. 2022 It's taken just two weeks for lawmakers to receive President Joe Biden's smaller, $33 billion package, enlarge it and move it to the brink of passage — lightning speed for Congress. — Alan Fram, ajc, 11 May 2022 Thus, texturizing or volumizing shampoos open up the hair cuticle and enlarge it. — Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Apr. 2022 This lets her stretch, disguise herself, and even shrink or enlarge herself similar to Ant-Man. — Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 15 Mar. 2022 With the joint memorandum signed, NATO moved ahead with inviting the Nordic countries to the military alliance that seeks to enlarge and strengthen in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. — Zeynep Bilginsoy, ajc, 30 June 2022 Deore also denied suggestions that anyone had asked him to enlarge the mouth or make the lions appear angrier. — CNN, 13 July 2022 Some disabilities require other accommodations, such as captioning during video calls or technology to enlarge text on screen. — Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 1 July 2022 The aim then is to get AI developers that are embracing AI optimization to enlarge their AI optimization worldview to include AI Ethics. — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 July 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enlarge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.