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 Midtown café offers an extensive menu of beverages, including various coffees, slushes and a frozen white chocolate.
—
Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Since none of the 12 appropriations bills have been approved, this shutdown is more extensive than the partial shutdown that started in December 2018, when Congress had enacted five of the 12 appropriations bills, said the nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank Committee for a Responsible Budget.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Since then, thousands of volunteers and paid workers joined in the extensive cleanup work.
—Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
In the face of such extensive despoliation, grassroots opposition has emerged.
—Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extensive
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.
Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Since none of the 12 appropriations bills have been approved, this shutdown is more extensive than the partial shutdown that started in December 2018, when Congress had enacted five of the 12 appropriations bills, said the nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank Committee for a Responsible Budget.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Since then, thousands of volunteers and paid workers joined in the extensive cleanup work.
—Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
In the face of such extensive despoliation, grassroots opposition has emerged.
—Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extensive
Cite this Entry
“Extensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extensive. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extensive
adjective
ex·ten·sive
ik-ˈsten(t)-siv
: having wide or large extent
extensively
adverb
extensiveness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share