widened; widening
ˈwīd-niŋ 
ˈwī-dᵊn-iŋ
: to increase the width, scope, or extent of
widen a road
widen an investigation
: to become wide or wider
a widening gap
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
The warning follows a series of escalating strikes tied to the widening conflict between Iran and Israel that has increasingly drawn in neighboring countries and critical energy infrastructure.
—
Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
July 23 – August 22 When feelings meet courage, horizons widen.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2026
In 2024, the city of San Diego allocated $750,000 to draft a plan to widen the park sidewalk.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Authorities have increased security around houses of worship amid the war in Iran and widening military conflict across the Middle East.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for widen
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.
Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
July 23 – August 22 When feelings meet courage, horizons widen.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2026
In 2024, the city of San Diego allocated $750,000 to draft a plan to widen the park sidewalk.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Authorities have increased security around houses of worship amid the war in Iran and widening military conflict across the Middle East.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for widen
Cite this Entry
“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widen. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
