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.
Those improvements include widening of Clay Street, paying for utilities such as water and sewers, and purchasing a home on the west side of the property. Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026 Another takeaway based on the first point is that defensible space has to be, in many cases, mandated more and more in communities where the separation between brush around homes has to be widened up to 30 or 40 feet, which is a challenge. Dana Taylor, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026 World Central Kitchen World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit founded by international chef José Andrés, said the findings underscore the widening gap between needs and available aid. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026 Any sustained rise in energy prices risks widening the current account deficit and undermining macroeconomic stability. Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widen. Accessed 21 Apr. 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

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