enlarge

Definition of enlargenext
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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 Trusting her instincts, Arden took Fern to an emergency vet, where an ultrasound revealed that Fern’s heart was enlarged and fluid was building in her chest. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 Since first announcing the Poseidon and Burevestnik in 2018, Putin has cast them as a response to moves by the United States to build a missile defense shield after Washington in 2001 unilaterally withdrew from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and to enlarge the NATO military alliance. Reuters, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025 It is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen (male hormone) levels, and polycystic ovaries, which are enlarged ovaries containing numerous small cysts. Memorialcare Medical Group, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025 The town gradually raised the money not just to reconstruct it but to enlarge and improve it, adding new facilities for disabled children. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlarge
Verb
  • The committee approved Lucas’s amendment and approved the recommendation to increase funding for the temporary jail.
    Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Iwobi’s movement drags Ladislav Krejci wider, increasing the space between the lines and creating a clear passing angle for Calvin Bassey.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Flywing also plans to expand the competitive side of the platform.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.
    Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Hudson, for her part, felt liberated.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Russia’s president has claimed that his invasion of Ukraine was a mission to liberate the people of that country.
    M. Gessen, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But Vanderbilt, as attention, pressure and fatigue rise on a pursuit no one outside its camp expected, is essentially two teams with two games left in the 2025 regular season.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The researchers emphasized that policy support is crucial for accelerating this transition and building a robust recycling system.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Business leaders say that such policies risk accelerating an exodus of companies, diminishing the city’s commercial tax base, and ultimately affecting services and jobs essential to millions of New Yorkers.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • If confirmed by future research, the approach could provide a powerful new weapon to fight heart disease, the nation's leading killer, freeing people from the need to take statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs every day.
    NPR, NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
  • No-kill is about giving every pet in a shelter a fair chance and proving that with the right policies and practices in place, managing animal shelters doesn’t require killing dogs and cats simply to free up space.
    Scott Giacoppo, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • As the day wears on, the crowd swells to a formidable throng.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Per BrightOcular, potential complications include infections, high pressure in the eye, glaucoma, inflammation of the iris, swelling in the cornea, loss of cells around the cornea, deterioration of the iris and more.
    Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Japanese maple trees can also be planted in a container filled with a quality potting mix augmented with compost and sharp sand.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Intelligent machines augment intelligent humans, driving a geometric expansion of what humans can do.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enlarge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlarge. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on enlarge

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