expansion

noun

ik-ˈspan(t)-shən How to pronounce expansion (audio)
Definition of expansionnext
1
as in increase
something added (as by growth) the museum's new wing is only the first in a series of expansions planned for the next decade

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in evolution
the act or process of going from the simple or basic to the complex or advanced the expansion of remedial reading classes into a district-wide program using school volunteers for a variety of needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in expanse
a wide space or area we gazed in awe at the star-strewn expansion of nighttime sky above us

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 expansion Twelve location expansions followed, awarded on reputation without a competitive bid. — William Jones, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026 Harvey Ratner and Marv Wolfenson led the way when the NBA welcomed the Wolves as an expansion team. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The expansion is driven by a new partnership with Fanatics, the NFL’s e-commerce partner. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Next expansion targets 2030 United already plans to expand the training operation again. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expansion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expansion
  1. increase
  2. evolution
  3. expanse
  4. boost
  5. development
  6. stretch
  7. addition
  8. progress
Noun
  • The typical small business faces premium increases of 14% next year, based on a preliminary analysis by KFF.
    — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Australia’s National Emergency Management Agency has warned that the growing trend of concurrent and cascading disasters is expected to continue and, in many cases, increase.
    — Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of increase
Noun
  • The challenge is that the hydrogen evolution reaction is slower in alkaline environments, increasing the need for catalysts that can deliver high activity without rapidly losing performance.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • One person involved in the effort told me that the firings had been carried out because of an evolution in the business at Fannie and not for any ideological reason.
    — Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of evolution
Noun
  • The umbral shadow will first appear as a small semicircle of shadow close to the dark expanses of Oceanus Procellarum (the Ocean of Storms) and Mare Humorum on the moon's southwestern edge, before swiftly spreading to swallow the nearby moonscape.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But in the vast expanse between the Sierra Nevada and Utah border, a not-exactly-wide-open race for Congress is testing whether a blue wave, should one come November, is ankle-high or something more akin to a political tsunami.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of expanse
Noun
  • But the reflation boost appears to be petering out as much of the price recovery has been driven by surging global energy costs, while domestic demand lags.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • That is a big boost for the detection of worlds that don't pass between Earth and their host star.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of boost
Noun
  • On the development and production side, Lumicraft’s AI casting tool Castlink pairs actor discovery with contracting and settlement, while Reproduction’s Pre-Flow handles screenplay analysis and production data sharing.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Lyvers previously served as senior vp and head of international co-productions and development at CBS Studios after working as a producer at Management 360.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of development
Noun
  • Others are stretched across agonizing stretches of silence while Barrett lets an audience stare into the darkness and imagine every horrible possibility before finally springing the trap.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The three-bedroom residences boast a private workspace, gym, and stretch of beach.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of stretch
Noun
  • With key draft additions filling secondary gaps alongside veteran pass rushers upfront, even a middle-of-the-pack defensive performance would drastically change Dallas' game-to-game outlook.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The addition of Victory+ had been designed in part to accommodate the NWSL’s growing inventory after expansion to 16 teams increased the regular-season schedule from 182 matches in 2025 to 240 this year.
    — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of addition
Noun
  • Big picture The league and the union are meeting regularly on various topics, but their disagreement on core economics — whether to move to a cap system — leaves little room for progress on the major issues.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Its work-in-progress was also one of five titles at the 2025 prestigious and highly selective Annecy Animation Showcase at the Cannes Festival’s Marché du Film.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of progress

Browse Nearby Words

expanses
expansion
expansions
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Cite this Entry

“Expansion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expansion. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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