enlarge

verb

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 Learn More about enlarge

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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

While the two sides did not end up enlarging the deal, a besieged Russia drew on the initial line several times in 2015 and 2016 when other forms of credit were unavailable. — Daniel Mcdowell, Washington Post, "Beijing is taking on a broader financial role. Here’s why that matters.," 14 June 2018 In a spin on the ol' nude-on-the-waterline trick, she's brought the line a smidge away from the bottom outer corner for a kind of animé-ish, trompe-l'oeil effect that's flattering/eye-enlarging in pictures and *super modern* in person. — Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, "The Super Smart/Sneaky Way Queen Letizia Does Her Eye Makeup," 9 July 2015 Japan’s defense plans reflect a new urgency under Mr. Abe to beef up Japan’s ability to defend its remote islands as China enlarges its navy. — Alastair Gale And Chieko Tsuneoka, WSJ, "Japan Heeds Trump’s Call With American-Made Defense Spending Spree," 18 Dec. 2018 In the 1930s, Robert Moses moved the boardwalk back about 300 feet to enlarge the beach. — Robert Khederian, Curbed, "Boardwalk Empire: Atlantic City and Coney Island," 19 July 2018 With any luck, seeing that moment enlarged to nearly five times its regular size and plopped on the bank of the Thames will jog his memory. — Andrea Park, Condé Nast Traveler, "There's a 25-Foot Jeff Goldblum Statue Next to London's Tower Bridge," 18 July 2018 Symptoms appear initially as brown spots on leaves that enlarge until the entire leaf turns dead and dry. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Hardy Boxwood Hedges That Resist Blight," 25 July 2018 Should Congress enlarge the land grants for grazing, then baronial estates would soon crowd the plains, an aristocratic few owning lands sufficient for a European principality and crowding out the small farmer upon which the nation depended. — Johnforristerross, Longreads, "Taming the Great American Desert," 2 July 2018 As tiny air sacs that absorb oxygen are destroyed, air gets trapped in diseased regions of the lung, gradually enlarging the organ. — Marie Mccullough, Philly.com, "Temple-led study of lung-shrinking valves offers new hope for advanced emphysema," 22 May 2018

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.