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extensive

adjective

ex·​ten·​sive ik-ˈsten(t)-siv How to pronounce extensive (audio)
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
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.
Civilian and military aircraft have been plagued by extensive interference with aircraft navigation systems in recent years, the finger often pointed at Moscow. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025 The original plan reflected Russia’s extensive wishlist, and included a demand for Ukraine to reduce its army and be barred from joining NATO. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Nov. 2025 While the newlyweds lived at Nottingham Cottage and the Cotswolds, extensive renovations reportedly transformed Frogmore from a five-unit dwelling into a five-bedroom single-family home, costing about $3 million. Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 27 Nov. 2025 Mbatha-Raw, meanwhile, is buried under extensive prosthetics as Salt, a member of the Sea Devil delegation who makes waves at a global summit on the Thames. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 27 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extensive

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of extensive was in 1605

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extensive. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

extensive

adjective
ex·​ten·​sive ik-ˈsten(t)-siv How to pronounce extensive (audio)
: having wide or large extent
extensively adverb
extensiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on extensive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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