expansive

adjective

ik-ˈspan(t)-siv How to pronounce expansive (audio)
Definition of expansivenext
as in extensive
having considerable extent as the river nears the end of its long journey to the sea it becomes quite expansive in breadth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 expansive The sound is wider and more spacious, which comes across as a more natural and airy listening experience that gives games a more expansive feel, where details, dialogue and sound effects can have greater clarity and depth. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Footage showed miners, mostly young men and women covered in mud, pulling out a body from the pit while dozens of other miners and workers were scattered around the expansive site, some shouting for help. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 Towering mountains, gnarly canyons, expansive grasslands and deep forests. — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026 Positioned near the water and surrounded by expansive gardens, Casa Romantica offers visitors a rare glimpse into Orange County's past. — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expansive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expansive
  1. extensive
  2. broad
  3. wide
  4. sweeping
  5. deep
Adjective
  • Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking extensive financial damages plus changes to how the company operates Facebook and Instagram.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Its analysis points to the extensive redesign work required to accommodate steam catapults, including their machinery, piping, water requirements and integration with the carrier’s existing electrical and internal systems.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of extensive
Adjective
  • Netanyahu is not on record as making that remark, but the slogan reflects a broader narrative promoted by Iranian hardliners, portraying women who do not wear the hijab as, at the very least, disloyal to their country.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Gonzalez Rogers is overseeing the broader multidistrict litigation consolidating nearly 3,000 pending lawsuits against Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube over alleged harms to children and teens.
    — Jeffrey Kopp, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of broad
Adjective
  • Trade talks with Canada collapsed late Friday night, setting in motion steep 50% tariffs on a wide swath of Canadian goods.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Culinary Experiences All 8 million New Yorkers bring unique perspectives and ways of life to the city, which makes way for many vibrant neighborhoods with a wide array of foods to try.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of wide
Adjective
  • Struggle for self-sufficiency The devastating outbreak reshaped China’s blood products industry, prompting sweeping regulations throughout the entire chain from plasma collection to clinical use.
    — CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Trump first threatened to impose the sweeping 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods on July 20, 2026.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of sweeping
Adjective
  • There was no controversy about this New York win, a night after Pete Alonso's deep fly ball against the Yankees was ruled foul with the game tied.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Born and raised in Nogales, Mexico, the fourth of twelve children, Trujillo had deep community roots.
    — Allie Torgan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of deep

Browse Nearby Words

expansions
expansive
ex parte
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expansive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expansive. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on expansive

Nglish: Translation of expansive for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All