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
Suzy Welch, CNBC, 8 May 2025
Fetterman — who has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, in which the heart muscle becomes weakened and enlarged, and auditory processing disorder, a complication from the stroke — has talked openly about his struggle with depression and urged people to get help.
—Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
Readers in some sense rewrite a text, enlarging its scope through their imagination, creating a whole world by bringing into play their skills, their memory, their dreams and their personal history, with all its drama and symbolism.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2025
Played by Sarah Sherman, she was portrayed with an exaggerated British accent and enlarged false teeth.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Verb
Finishing projects a day or week ahead of schedule, with their scope enlarged and their insights expanded.
—Suzy Welch, CNBC, 8 May 2025
Fetterman — who has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, in which the heart muscle becomes weakened and enlarged, and auditory processing disorder, a complication from the stroke — has talked openly about his struggle with depression and urged people to get help.
—Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
Readers in some sense rewrite a text, enlarging its scope through their imagination, creating a whole world by bringing into play their skills, their memory, their dreams and their personal history, with all its drama and symbolism.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2025
Played by Sarah Sherman, she was portrayed with an exaggerated British accent and enlarged false teeth.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Apr. 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 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share