EXTENSIVE Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

extensive

adjective

ik-ˈsten(t)-siv

Definition of extensive

as in broad

having considerable extent a rock hound whose extensive reading enables him to identify just about any rock or mineral

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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 extensive Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of mortgage products. — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 21 July 2026 Some commands appear unfinished, but the working features give criminals extensive access to an infected phone. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026 Thousands of documents released by the Justice Department showed that Ruemmler and Epstein had an extensive relationship. — ABC News, 15 July 2026 Elsewhere, the show features extensive discussion of the materials used to make shoes and how industrial processes and design innovations changed the nature of our everyday footwear. — Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for extensive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extensive

Adjective

Candidates running for the 5th District will have to represent a broad swath of urban, suburban and rural voters, including eastern Kansas City and places hours away such as Jefferson City, the state’s capital city.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
When the government raised fuel prices by 50% in 2019, nationwide protests quickly escalated into broader anti-government unrest and were met with a sweeping security crackdown and an internet blackout.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

Definition of broad

Adjective

Protesters blame Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and demand his resignation, but the demonstrations have since expanded into a wider anger over government accountability, spreading to other cities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Demonstrators have clashed this week with police officers, whose tactics have further fueled youth anger and drawn wider support for the protest movement.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of wide

Adjective

Missouri’s sweeping 6th Congressional District, historically a Republican stronghold, stretches across northern Missouri and touches Kansas City’s Northland.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
When the government raised fuel prices by 50% in 2019, nationwide protests quickly escalated into broader anti-government unrest and were met with a sweeping security crackdown and an internet blackout.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

Definition of sweeping

Adjective

The memorandum likewise directs the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces to coordinate a comprehensive national strategy to investigate, prosecute and disrupt entities and individuals.

— Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
This is a true, comprehensive measure of popular sentiment, genuinely and organically posted, about each company’s approach to innovation.

— Heather Newman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of comprehensive

Adjective

The expansive list of diagnostic codes Konza provided in the email includes injuries that do not involve consumer products.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
In Mel Brooks’ parody fashion, the Spaceballs team parodied Marvel’s Hall H panels with an expansive Spaceballs Cinematic Universe, stretching across 180-degree screens in the room.

— Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of expansive

Adjective

Neither of those measures warrant imminent rate hikes, but that could change if the Iran war spirals out of control or persists for an extended period.

— Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Misery had plenty of company, which actually did not make the extended layoff so bad.

— Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of extended

Adjective

New Zealand’s biosecurity minister has warned that the country will follow a similar path, should a widespread outbreak occur.

— Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s move followed widespread protests triggered by the removal of the country’s popular, young defense minister, who spearheaded an embrace of technology in the war against Russia, helping shift the tide in Kyiv’s favor.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of widespread

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extensions

extensive

extensively

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“Extensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extensive. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of extensive

adjective

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