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

In some species, their hearts are enlarged to pump more blood, or their digestive tracts grow and then shrink. —Elizabeth Landau, Quanta Magazine, 19 May 2025

The camera then shows Sherman’s Chelsea, sporting an exaggerated accent and enlarged false teeth. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025

Last year, a bill that would have allocated funds for enlarging the dam while prohibiting state laws from obstructing the project died in the House. —Calmatters, Mercury News, 13 May 2025

This can then enlarge the wound and attract more flies to lay eggs. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2025

Phrases Containing enlarge

• enlarge (on or upon)