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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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

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 The new award expands the festival’s tradition of celebrating audience favorites, which often anticipate Oscar voting. John Hopewell, Variety, 15 May 2025 Her family expanded on March 22, 2021, when Cassie and her husband Fine welcomed their second child, daughter Sunny Cinco. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 15 May 2025 The bar and lounge area, a focal point of the restaurant, will expand with seating in the front window that looks out onto Main Street. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 The diversity of life expanded in a way that has never been seen in any other era. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for expand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expand
Verb
  • But, for the last 30 years, the US has still been an active participant in ISA negotiations aimed at developing industry regulations in a Mining Code, according to Carvalho.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
  • Something borrowed, something blue As Xu worked to develop a technology that could revolutionize surgical care for people with advanced-stage cancer, Elissa graduated from high school and went on to study journalism and electronic media at Eastern Michigan University.
    Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Autism rates increased, again: But RFK Jr. diverges from CDC report about the reason.
    Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Despite several decades of donor declines in the U.S., the overall trend in dollars donated has increased.
    Josh Birkholz, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • President Trump, Vice President Vance React to First American Pope Announcement World leaders across continents extended messages of hope, unity and spiritual solidarity Thursday after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • Instead of entirely exempting new residences from rent control, Yang’s amendment would have extended an existing 20-year exemption for new construction, approved by the previous council in 2022, and converted it into a 30-year exemption, mirroring the length of a construction mortgage.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Currently, a shift in technology and user behavior might accelerate the conclusion of the agreement.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Witnesses told police the SUV appeared to accelerate directly at the family.
    Bethany Brown, People.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Depending on the concentration, it can be used regularly to supplement oral health hygiene practices. — EDMUND KHOO, DDS, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD Summary Gargling with 3% hydrogen peroxide is safe if it is diluted with water.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
  • Thompson is supplementing her insurance coverage with a Medjet membership, which would take her back to her home hospital once she's stabilized.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Automate Administrative Tasks Generative AI can help augment your human capital efforts by taking over routine tasks.
    Heather Peters, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • This is the first of a new type of rideshare program flying to that orbit that augments SpaceX’s Transporter program that flies to SSO.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Perry’s Steakhouse: The restaurant chain, which will open early (11 a.m.) on May 11, has a Mother's Day meal ($49) that includes a 10oz.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Donald Trump invested more than $200 million into the place, which opened shortly before the 2016 election.
    Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, there's no better time to refresh your home for summer with finds from Amazon.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 11 May 2025
  • Since last week, sightings in the Asheville, North Carolina, area have risen from 140 to 739, according to Kristsky's group, Cicada Safari, which crowdsources and reviews data on the insects.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 11 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expand. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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