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 However, as has been the case with other annual shopping events, retailers expanded the promotional period to start May 13, a week earlier than in 2024, before ending June 18. Bernice Ooi, CNBC, 20 June 2025 Stablecoins are often treated as satellites of U.S. monetary policy—dollar proxies that expand liquidity and shore up Treasury demand. Jemma Green, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025 Trump’s memo will go into the history books as a moment when presidential power expanded to put under his control a military force aimed at U.S. civilians. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025 This season, the hotel has also expanded with the renovation of a neighboring building, unveiling 25 new rooms each designed around an outdoor patio with sea views. Monica Mendal, Vogue, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for expand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expand
Verb
  • Founder’s Block Chardonnay Photo : Scott Semler Situated in the Russian River Valley’s Chalk Hill region, this 1,500-acre estate of the same name is planted with a one-of-a-kind proprietary Chardonnay clone developed in partnership with U.C. Davis’s esteemed viticulture and enology department.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 12 June 2025
  • Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To lower the risk of lightning strikes, when going outdoors, develop a plan to reach a safer spot.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • The increasing supply of NPs and PAs could offset this primary care shortfall if their capabilities were fully utilized.
    Web Golinkin, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • Ratcliffe has since increased his stake to nearly 30 per cent after spending a further $300m on new shares.
    Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Bell Media, meanwhile, initially sought damages but settled the legal dispute in October after extending its partnership with Warner on HBO and HBO Max content for multiple years.
    Amber Dowling, Variety, 13 June 2025
  • Two of the stools have legs that extend over the round seat, while the other two have legs that attach underneath the stool.
    Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The state both increased funding for special education and accelerated by one year the commitment to fully funding the Education Cost Sharing formula, through which most state aid for local education flows.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
  • Iran’s nuclear program accelerated after the breakdown of the 2015 nuclear agreement which halted international inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
    Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • The Wizards’ decision-makers intend to have enough flexibility and future draft picks a few years down the line to supplement their young nucleus, either through signings or trades.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • Local law enforcement often supplements the security forces as well.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • Next, executives will pull draft decks, key performance indicators (KPIs) and reports from internal systems and augment them with AI summarization of complex documents into executive digests.
    Paroon Chadha, Forbes.com, 18 June 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, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Lionsgate’s John Wick spinoff Ballerina opened the festival.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 June 2025
  • That left Nesmith on Gilgeous-Alexander to open the possession.
    Anthony Slater, New York Times, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • With Israel saying its operation could last weeks, and urging Iranians to rise up against their Islamist clerical rulers, fears have grown of a regional war dragging in outside powers.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 16 June 2025
  • For example, in Cook County, women under 50 rank second in Illinois for ovarian cancer incidence and 26th for breast cancer with both rates continuing to rise.
    Carolyn Bhakta, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expand. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

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