extensive
adjective
ex·ten·sive
ik-ˈsten(t)-siv 
1
: having wide or considerable extent
extensive reading
2
3
: of, relating to, or constituting farming in which large areas of land are utilized with minimum outlay and labor
extensively
adverb
extensiveness
noun
Examples of extensive in a Sentence
The storm caused extensive damage.
an extensive series of tests
Recent Examples on the Web
The proposal would require extensive recordkeeping and impose steep fines on repair shops, recyclers, pawn shops and secondhand dealers that traffic in undocumented airbags.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
The time at sea has taken a toll on the vessel, which will necessitate extensive repairs that could sideline the ship for 14 months or longer.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Crews undertook an extensive search for the boy that included the Coast Guard and New Jersey State Police.
—Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Morris got his most extensive playing time in 2024, appearing in all 17 regular-season games with 11 starts at left tackle.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for extensive
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The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
The time at sea has taken a toll on the vessel, which will necessitate extensive repairs that could sideline the ship for 14 months or longer.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Crews undertook an extensive search for the boy that included the Coast Guard and New Jersey State Police.
—Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Morris got his most extensive playing time in 2024, appearing in all 17 regular-season games with 11 starts at left tackle.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for extensive
Cite this Entry
“Extensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extensive. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extensive
adjective
ex·ten·sive
ik-ˈsten(t)-siv
: having wide or large extent
extensively
adverb
extensiveness
noun
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