widen

verb

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

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.
Nearly a quarter of all fresher roles now require AI or data-related skills, up from just 5%–10% three years ago, said Alug, adding that AI skilling in India needs urgent attention because the talent gap is widening fast as demand for AI-ready workers grows. Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026 The bombardment killed at least four people, left hundreds of thousands without power, and widened the humanitarian crisis as winter deepens. Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026 The closures are part of a larger two-year project to widen I-71 and improve safety. Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Jan. 2026 Seeking to prevent the spread of HIV, Unitaid is providing $31 million to South Africa and Zambia in hopes of widening access to a groundbreaking prevention medicine beyond traditional health clinics. Ed Silverman, STAT, 13 Jan. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widen. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.

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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