Synonyms of enlarge

enlarge 1 of 2

verb (1)

in-ˈlärj 

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

• increase
• expand
• rise
• accelerate
• swell
• multiply
• climb
• intensify
• accumulate
• wax
• spread
• proliferate
• roll up
• escalate
• balloon
• gain
• mount
• mushroom
• appreciate
• snowball
• boom
• jump
• burgeon
• build up
• heighten
• bourgeon
• surge
• skyrocket
• distend
• inflate
• rocket
• redouble
• bulk
• peak
• puff (up)
• crest
• blow up
• crescendo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• recede
• contract
• dwindle
• wane

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

• expand
• increase
• accelerate
• augment
• boost
• extend
• multiply
• raise
• enhance
• amplify
• reinforce
• intensify
• maximize
• swell
• add (to)
• strengthen
• aggrandize
• escalate
• stoke
• supersize
• compound
• build up
• up
• pump up
• supplement
• lengthen
• jump
• inflate
• dilate
• prolong
• heighten
• magnify
• distend
• develop
• hype
• skyrocket
• elongate
• stretch
• complement
• protract
• bump (up)
• draw out
• flesh (out)
• spike
• boom
• ratchet (up)
• reenforce
• blow up
• accumulate
• collect
• amass
• beef (up)
• rachet (up)
• follow up
• parlay

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• diminish
• decrease
• lessen
• downsize
• lower
• dwindle
• shorten
• subtract (from)
• abate
• curtail
• abridge
• abbreviate
• compress
• minify
• constrict
• condense
• contract
• de-escalate
• cut back
• retrench

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

• free
• liberate
• save
• release
• rescue
• loosen
• enfranchise
• emancipate
• turn loose
• loose
• unfetter
• unbind
• spring
• manumit
• uncage
• unchain
• discharge
• disenthrall
• disenthral
• redeem
• bail (out)
• extricate
• ransom
• disengage
• disentangle
• parole
• deliver
• disembarrass
• disencumber
• unshackle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confine
• restrain
• bind
• fetter
• enchain
• shackle
• jail
• commit
• imprison
• handcuff
• lock (up)
• incarcerate
• conquer
• subdue
• subjugate
• enslave
• trammel
• intern
• manacle
• immure

enlarge (on or upon)

2 of 2

verb (2)

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

• expand
• develop
• supplement
• flesh (out)
• elaborate (on)
• dilate (on or upon)
• add (to)
• amplify
• complement
• run on
• discourse
• expatiate
• ramble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shorten
• contract
• condense
• summarize
• sum up
• compress
• abridge
• outline
• abbreviate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of enlarge

Verb

Colonization of the western half of North America enlarged not only the geographic size of the United States, but also its demographic composition. —Literary Hub, 9 June 2025

When Biden assumed office, his administration sought to enlarge the ACA program and counter several of the changes implemented by the first Trump administration that had shrunk its size. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

Over time, the nearly circular 75-mile-wide (120 kilometers) depression has been eroded by water and ice, enlarging it to nearly twice its initial size. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 6 June 2025

It is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen (male hormone) levels, and polycystic ovaries, which are enlarged ovaries containing numerous small cysts. —Advertorial, Oc Register, 5 June 2025

Phrases Containing enlarge

• enlarge (on or upon)