expand

verb

ik-ˈspand How to pronounce expand (audio)
Definition of expandnext
1
as in to develop
to express more fully and in greater detail an article on the First Ladies that the author later expanded into a book

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number we had to expand the list of wedding guests several times in order to accommodate all the relatives Mother wouldn't dream of excluding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to extend
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area a spare leaf for those times when we have to expand the dining table to accommodate extra guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to rise
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number water expands when it becomes frozen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb expand differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of expand are amplify, dilate, distend, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When can amplify be used instead of expand?

The meanings of amplify and expand largely overlap; however, amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When might dilate be a better fit than expand?

Although the words dilate and expand have much in common, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

When is distend a more appropriate choice than expand?

The words distend and expand can be used in similar contexts, but distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When is it sensible to use inflate instead of expand?

In some situations, the words inflate and expand are roughly equivalent. However, inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

In what contexts can swell take the place of expand?

While the synonyms swell and expand are close in meaning, swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

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 expand Health officials are working to secure more agreements with pharmaceutical companies to expand the selection of prescription drugs on the platform. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026 Now, Yakitori is thriving, employing more people than ever and expanding its hours. —Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Feb. 2026 The two countries agreed to expand bilateral trade and investment in areas including mining, agriculture, renewable energy, and technology. —Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026 Policymakers can strengthen public schools and expand choice. —Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expand
  1. develop
  2. increase
  3. extend
  4. rise
  5. supplement
  6. accelerate
  7. open
  8. swell
Verb
  • Early symptoms may also go away within a day, but serious to fatal liver damage can still develop within two to three days.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
  • In a groundbreaking new study, researchers have developed an electronic skin that allows humanoid robots to distinguish everyday touch from damaging force.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of develop
Verb
  • The program will start with 3,000 volunteers to be selected next summer and will gradually increase to 10,000 per year by 2030.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Allowing its use on these two common crops will drastically expand how much is applied and increase harm, advocates say.
    — Michael Phillis, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Kawhi Leonard made two free throws, but the Rockets scored the next four points to extend the lead.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The vote on Tuesday sought to extend previous language that blocked tariff repeal resolutions from getting a vote, which expired at the end of January.
    — Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of extend
Verb
  • That leads to high temperatures, which create a glowing protostar due to the rapid (kinetic) motion of the internal gas particles, and eventually, after a few tens of millions of years, the core temperatures rise high enough (above 4 million K or so) that nuclear fusion of hydrogen begins.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The information will be incorporated into the NEMO ocean model, which forms part of the UK Earth System Model, improving predictions as polar ice loss accelerates with rising global temperatures.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of rise
Verb
  • About 30 states have adopted state-level low-income housing tax credits or similar preservation programs, which supplement the federal credit.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Martin de Anda, another Gen Zer, chose to supplement his loan underwriter job in Los Angeles by handing out flyers for other businesses.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of supplement
Verb
  • The Senate’s bill would tie some community development grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to housing production, offering bonuses to local governments that accelerate homebuilding while reducing funding for those that fall behind.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
  • His move to the Sandringham estate was accelerated after the latest batch of Epstein files were released, and after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was seen waving to photographers and bystanders at Windsor Castle, as if nothing had happened.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • Mark your calendar On Thursday, Malia scored another exclusive, reporting on LACMA’s announcement that the David Geffen Galleries, the pinnacle of a two-decade campus transformation, will officially open April 19.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The hunt was opened to public, DIY hunting in 2020.
    — Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of open
Verb
  • The arrival of the ATM famously led to the employment of more bank tellers, just as the introduction of Excel swelled the ranks of accountants and Photoshop spiked demand for graphic designers.
    — Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
  • When bleeding or swelling inside one of these compartments builds up, pressure rises and begins to squeeze the muscles, nerves and blood vessels.
    — Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of swell

Browse Nearby Words

exotics
expand
expanded
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Cite this Entry

“Expand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expand. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on expand

Nglish: Translation of expand for Spanish Speakers

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