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 free
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
as in to develop
to express more fully and in greater detail
in your complaint, don't just say that your neighbor has been harassing you; enlarge on what you mean by that
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
Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 17 July 2025
There may be dams built to block it temporarily, but over time, cracks begin to form, and water starts enlarging those cracks until the dam collapses.
—Ali Farahmand, IndieWire, 8 July 2025
In the case of the 996, the mill was enlarged from the Boxster’s 3.0-liter flat-six to a 3.4-liter version.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2025
On a couple of occasions, audience members are brought onstage to enlarge the community that much more.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Verb
There are no quick cuts around a cellphone or enlarged text bubbles popping up by characters’ heads.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 17 July 2025
There may be dams built to block it temporarily, but over time, cracks begin to form, and water starts enlarging those cracks until the dam collapses.
—Ali Farahmand, IndieWire, 8 July 2025
In the case of the 996, the mill was enlarged from the Boxster’s 3.0-liter flat-six to a 3.4-liter version.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2025
On a couple of occasions, audience members are brought onstage to enlarge the community that much more.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Cite this Entry
“Enlarge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlarge. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share