Synonyms of expands

expands

verb

present tense third-person singular of expand

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

• develops
• supplements
• amplifies
• enlarges (on or upon)
• complements
• elaborates (on)
• dilates (on or upon)
• adds (to)
• fleshes (out)
• expatiates
• runs on
• discourses
• rambles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shortens
• condenses
• compresses
• summarizes
• abridges
• outlines
• contracts
• abbreviates
• sums up

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

• increases
• accelerates
• augments
• boosts
• extends
• multiplies
• raises
• enhances
• enlarges
• reinforces
• intensifies
• amplifies
• strengthens
• swells
• escalates
• maximizes
• adds (to)
• stokes
• ups
• builds up
• compounds
• aggrandizes
• supersizes
• hypes
• develops
• lengthens
• heightens
• dilates
• inflates
• pumps up
• prolongs
• distends
• jumps
• complements
• elongates
• stretches
• supplements
• magnifies
• spikes
• skyrockets
• booms
• accumulates
• draws out
• bumps (up)
• protracts
• collects
• blows up
• amasses
• fleshes (out)
• ratchets (up)
• rachets (up)
• follows up
• beefs (up)
• parlays

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduces
• decreases
• diminishes
• lessens
• lowers
• dwindles
• downsizes
• shortens
• abates
• subtracts (from)
• curtails
• abridges
• abbreviates
• compresses
• constricts
• condenses
• minifies
• contracts
• de-escalates
• retrenches
• cuts back

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

• extends
• opens
• unfolds
• unfurls
• spreads (out)
• stretches (out)
• outstretches
• fans (out)
• flares (out)
• outspreads
• overspreads

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closes
• reduces
• contracts
• folds
• compresses
• condenses
• compacts

4

as in rises

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number

water expands when it becomes frozen

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increases
• rises
• accelerates
• swells
• multiplies
• intensifies
• enlarges
• climbs
• accumulates
• proliferates
• spreads
• waxes
• escalates
• mushrooms
• mounts
• surges
• burgeons
• rolls up
• appreciates
• heightens
• booms
• gains
• jumps
• snowballs
• builds up
• balloons
• distends
• inflates
• redoubles
• skyrockets
• rockets
• puffs (up)
• bulks
• peaks
• crests
• blows up
• crescendoes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decreases
• diminishes
• lessens
• recedes
• wanes
• contracts
• dwindles

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of expands

The package expands the Air Force’s layered defenses against small unmanned aircraft. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026

As the sun expands, gravitational tides act like a subtle brake, slowly draining Earth's orbital energy and pulling the planet inward. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 July 2026

The tax law also expands Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in shorter-term workforce training programs. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 June 2026

The temporary rule expands that list to 29 specific degree programs, including master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, and doctor of nurse anesthesia practice. — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Thus a perfectly strange, even thrillingly exotic but deeply and elusively meaningful familiar-feeling personal adventure that expands your spiritual base. — Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Pulling experienced operators from conventional units could weaken both elite and conventional formations as Russia expands its most successful drone forces. — David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

This powder room in a Vermont Schoolhouse is drenched with Farrow & Ball’s Eating Room Red, a color that actually expands the tight space, while this Manhattan loft employs all-pink cabinets to counteract cold granite. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 7 July 2026

Organizers say the facility expands access to affordable veterinary care in the San Fernando Valley and replaces the organization’s Mission Hills clinic, which closed June 30. — Daily News, 7 July 2026