widen

verb

wid·​en ˈwī-dᵊn How to pronounce widen (audio)
widened; widening ˈwīd-niŋ How to pronounce widen (audio)
ˈwī-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to increase the width, scope, or extent of
widen a road
widen an investigation

intransitive verb

: to become wide or wider
a widening gap
widener
ˈwīd-nər How to pronounce widen (audio)
ˈwī-dᵊn-ər
noun

Examples of widen in a Sentence

The city is going to widen the road. They plan to widen the investigation. Her eyes widened in surprise. They went swimming at a spot where the river widens. The scope of the investigation has widened.
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.
Today, Gascón sought to widen the potential charges with a plea for others who may have been assaulted by Pearce and the others to speak to law enforcement. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025 The journalist Beth Macy, who in her previous books chronicled the widening fissures in American society by examining the opioid crisis and the aftereffects of globalization, grew up there. Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025 The plaintiffs said widening I-94 benefits commuters from the suburbs over Black and brown residents living near the interstate, who may not own a car but will be hurt by more pollution and other environmental hazards brought by the project. Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025 Both experts noted that while the current package supports growth, the widening gap between low unemployment and soaring deficits poses questions about the viability of America’s debt. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for widen

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of widen was in 1566

Cite this Entry

“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widen. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

widen

verb
wid·​en ˈwīd-ᵊn How to pronounce widen (audio)
widened; widening ˈwīd-niŋ How to pronounce widen (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become wide or wider : broaden

More from Merriam-Webster on widen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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