enlarge

Definition of enlargenext
1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb enlarge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enlarge are augment, increase, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

In what contexts can augment take the place of enlarge?

Although the words augment and enlarge have much in common, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When might increase be a better fit than enlarge?

The words increase and enlarge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

his waistline increased with age
increased her landholdings

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to enlarge?

While in some cases nearly identical to enlarge, multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of enlarge Leisure enlarges your perspective and renews your faith. Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026 That explains why bus drivers don’t have enlarged hippocampi. Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026 Enabled by revolutionary advances in communications, computers, and shipping, multinational firms dramatically reduced their costs and enlarged their markets by developing global supply and distribution chains. Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026 The upstairs kitchen, bathroom, and floors underwent a full renovation; Parlá also enlarged the original skylights. Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlarge
Verb
  • The concern is not only the surge in killings, but the increasing brazenness with which they are carried out.
    Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • For example, rising temperatures have direct harms on health by increasing risk of dehydration and causing more stress on the heart.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Integrating unmanned logistics The Army continues to expand its use of unmanned systems across air and ground domains.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
  • However, according to a draft of its charter, its mission has since expanded to address conflicts worldwide.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Cause of the issue In a post-flight analysis of the Artemis 1 heat shield, NASA identified more than 100 locations where ablative thermal protective material was liberated during Orion's speedy reentry.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2026
  • But until that moment arrives, reactions of all kinds will occur, continuing to liberate energy.
    Big Think, Big Think, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • After finishing third in the short program, Liu rose to the top of the medal podium while skating freely, ebulliently, inured to any pressure, performing with technical precision and bright artistry.
    Bora Erden, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
  • At some point, likely within the next two billion years, those temperatures will rise so high that our oceans will boil away; shortly after that, it’s expected that life on our planet will go completely extinct.
    Big Think, Big Think, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The event saw several European leaders and policymakers reiterate the need for greater defense spending to accelerate the continent's strategic autonomy, with discussions of a common nuclear shield.
    Hugh Leask, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Its members are pushing legislation to accelerate encampment sweeps and eliminate a longstanding local requirement that the city offer shelter to residents when forcing them to move.
    Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • This would reduce weight, lower launch costs, and free up space for scientific instruments or communication payloads.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Venezuela’s socialist regime pushed through a sweeping amnesty law late Thursday that could free hundreds of political prisoners and reshape the country’s fragile transition after strongman Nicolás Maduro’s capture — but critics warn the measure excludes key opponents.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • JPMorgan sees shares of AeroVironment rising as demand for drones and space capabilities swell.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The League of Nations is struggling for legitimacy as Germany and Japan withdraw, driven by swelling imperial ambitions.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • HoloRadar augments the safety of autonomous robots by complementing existing sensors rather than replacing them.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Breaking roles into micro-tasks allows organizations to see where automation can remove friction, where AI can augment human judgment, and where human contribution remains essential.
    Keith Ferrazzi, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enlarge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlarge. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on enlarge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!