1
as in develops
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 increases
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 extends
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 rises
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
water expands when it becomes frozen
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 expands
The film expands Haig’s play and includes additional characters and sequences, including the actual D-day invasion.
—
Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
And yet as the series expands from and twists around its simple horror concept (a wedding at the groom-to-be’s family house in the woods is fated for a titular dark catastrophe), Morrone’s performance as Rachel is able to shoulder the weight of quite a bit of backstory and a complicated endgame.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026
The fireball expands out and covers the entire launch pad as the fuselage of the rocket can be seen crumbling into the flames.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
South Florida is at the center of major travel news as World Cup rental demand inceases and JetBlue’s expands its footprint in Fort Lauderdale.
—Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
On Marcriá, RaiNao expands her range, threading her island’s bomba and plena music through bassy reggaeton beats and orchestration.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Yet this public intervention into the pharmaceutical market only expands government interference without addressing the root cause of high drug prices.
—Wayne T Brough, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Every successful launch expands the market, and autonomous spacecraft have already proven the model, exploring Mars, flying past Pluto, and leaving the solar system without a single human aboard.
—Omar Kardoudi
may 29, New Atlas, 29 May 2026
Because of the test run, the second survey expands the questions for more details.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
And yet as the series expands from and twists around its simple horror concept (a wedding at the groom-to-be’s family house in the woods is fated for a titular dark catastrophe), Morrone’s performance as Rachel is able to shoulder the weight of quite a bit of backstory and a complicated endgame.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026
The fireball expands out and covers the entire launch pad as the fuselage of the rocket can be seen crumbling into the flames.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
South Florida is at the center of major travel news as World Cup rental demand inceases and JetBlue’s expands its footprint in Fort Lauderdale.
—Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
On Marcriá, RaiNao expands her range, threading her island’s bomba and plena music through bassy reggaeton beats and orchestration.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Yet this public intervention into the pharmaceutical market only expands government interference without addressing the root cause of high drug prices.
—Wayne T Brough, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Every successful launch expands the market, and autonomous spacecraft have already proven the model, exploring Mars, flying past Pluto, and leaving the solar system without a single human aboard.
—Omar Kardoudi
may 29, New Atlas, 29 May 2026
Because of the test run, the second survey expands the questions for more details.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expands
Verb
-
Ton develops her versatility while training with the Irvine Novaquatics club under coach Nathan Wilcox, who also coaches her at Fountain Valley.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
-
Unable to store new memories, Leonard develops an elaborate system of documentation involving photographs and tattoos to provide connective tissue to his future self.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
This increases your visibility to potential rescuers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
-
Brain activity also increases during a stress response, making movements which are usually automatic less so, and perhaps even slower.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
As per previous editions, organizers will also promote Homo Faber in Città, the initiative that extends the experience with activations across Venice, including involving little artisanal workshops exceptionally opening their doors to visitors for the occasion.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
-
The table-setter who extends innings and puts pressure on the defense.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike that hit Qlaileh village as seen from the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, on Tuesday.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
According to the sign on the set before the curtain rises, the population of Jerome, an actual former copper-mining town in central Arizona, has evaporated, giving it ghost status.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
After menopause, when estrogen levels fall sharply, the breakdown side accelerates and the building side can’t keep up.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 3,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
But even as investment accelerates, the assumption that skilled trades are insulated from AI is starting to shift.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Here, the role is reimagined as Taylor, a younger mother of three who, as the film opens, has a passing encounter with Julia before trying to go on with her own day.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
-
Morning belongs to the eastern terraces, where sunrise opens over the water.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Summer has already kicked off with beefy surf up and down the coastline, with moderate southern hemisphere swells bringing waves in the 3-to 5-foot range at many spots the past week.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
7 June 2026
-
The beach town swells with visitors in the summer, though surfers flock here any time of year for the classic surf break Plage de Lafitenia and big waves surf spot Belharra.—
Anne Olivia Bauso,
Travel + Leisure,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Teams must understand that AI augments rather than replaces expertise.—
Hope Frank,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
That turns the chatbot from a substitute for care into something that augments the therapeutic alliance between you and your care team.—
Sudheesha Perera,
Time,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expands. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
