1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
as the number of people with cell phones enlarges, more transmission towers will have to be built
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to expand
to make greater in size, amount, or number
with a new member of the family on the way, maybe we should consider enlarging the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to liberate
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)
like a wild animal enlarged from a leghold trap, the freed prisoner raced about
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
And in that gloriously unsettled moment, our sense of the possible is enlarged.
—
Mac Barnett, Longreads, 5 May 2026
This enlarges the talent pool in these fields by allowing students from all over the globe to participate in original research, such as on how climate change is affecting extinction and the migration of different species.
—Ingrid C. Romero, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
The Grammy-winning R&B singer, 39, glowed in an all-white ERL suit, which combined a puffy, floor-length jacket with a retro-style shirt and enlarged bow tie.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 4 May 2026
The simulation enlarged first one disc and then another by the same growth factor, and so on.
—Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Mac Barnett, Longreads, 5 May 2026
This enlarges the talent pool in these fields by allowing students from all over the globe to participate in original research, such as on how climate change is affecting extinction and the migration of different species.
—Ingrid C. Romero, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
The Grammy-winning R&B singer, 39, glowed in an all-white ERL suit, which combined a puffy, floor-length jacket with a retro-style shirt and enlarged bow tie.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 4 May 2026
The simulation enlarged first one disc and then another by the same growth factor, and so on.
—Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlarge
Verb
-
Salah’s comments followed a limp 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa on Friday that increased criticism of Slot and questions about his future in the job.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
In Los Angeles, for example, the city spent more than 50 million dollars in 2021 on policing homelessness, yet unsheltered homelessness still increased.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Officials allege the group sold the oil under false pretenses and used the profits to sustain and expand the original food fraud scheme.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
The potential downside of a long layoff has been a hot topic in baseball ever since MLB expanded its playoff field in 2022, awarding first-round byes to the top-two seeds in each league.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
On the one hand, the newfound freedom is liberating.—
Ashlee Gadd,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
-
Michelle has felt particularly liberated in speaking her mind.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
As tensions rise between the United States and China over trade, technology, Taiwan and military influence, the relationship between the world’s two largest economies is increasingly shaping global politics and national security debates.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
15 May 2026
-
The national debt has surpassed the GDP, Social Security and Medicare face looming financial crises, inflation is rising, families are struggling — and yet Congress does nothing.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
China's economy appeared to be starting the year on a strong note, with GDP growth accelerating to 5% in the first quarter.—
Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
Their hand is also forced by climate change, war and the accelerating rush for timber and minerals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
That freed up Plum to be in position to score, setting up a much more efficient Sparks offense.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
-
Towers has been freed after posting $30,000 bail.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
As the teen continued to deteriorate, his right arm began to swell two or three times more than his left, and his wound began leaking fluid.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
-
During the expedition’s first ten days, the ship navigated a strong storm, with ocean swells reaching two to three metres.—
Akash Kapur,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Cleveland could augment, perhaps even with Giannis.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2026
-
Harry Styles' stage is a pop playground Styles’ laudable core band – anchored by his longtime drummer, the indefatigable Sarah Jones, who makes tricky beats look simple – was augmented by strings and horns on several tracks, a testament to his ambitious musical aspirations.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlarge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlarge. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
