1
as in limit
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go
the coach exceeded the extent of his authority by exempting some of the players from the requirement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in expansion
a wide space or area
the seemingly endless extent of the windswept prairies
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in scope
an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends
the extent of this criminal investigation has widened considerably since it began
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in size
the total amount of measurable space or surface occupied by something
looking at the extent of the stain on my shirt, you might think that I had spilled a gallon of coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of extent
Prosecute the violators to the full extent of the law.
—
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
The extent of their injuries was not immediately clear, the outlet reported.
—Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Information about the extent of the skier’s injuries was not immediately available Sunday.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
The exact extent of the damage was not immediately clear.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extent
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
The extent of their injuries was not immediately clear, the outlet reported.
—Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Information about the extent of the skier’s injuries was not immediately available Sunday.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
The exact extent of the damage was not immediately clear.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extent
Noun
-
Set limits around time, energy, or spending so things don’t get messy.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Clearly, there’s no limit to Ellison’s ambitions.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This external stripping accelerates the heating and expansion of the dwarf galaxy, nudging it toward that dynamical attractor even faster.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
But Apple’s more recent expansions into areas like virtual reality and artificial intelligence haven’t been as successful.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Smart compares its scope to WannaCry, the high-profile global ransomware attack that affected more than 200,000 computers in 2017.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The turnout reflected the scope of the loss.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Shah says the procedure targets a precise area deep in the brain – about the size of a grain of rice – without the need for an incision.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
His excellent size-speed combination, and aggressive downhill style creates disruption and turnover chances.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Though many have since been released, the region remains under tight control, with strict limitations on religious and cultural practices.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
What started as a temporary outdoor steakhouse in an open lot in Little River during the pandemic, was reborn as a magnificent 220-seat indoor-outdoor restaurant that is no longer subject to the whims of weather and the limitations of an outdoor kitchen.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
White clouds can be seen swirling on Earth's sunlit arc above the line separating night from day while the cratered expanse of the lunar disk stretches out below.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The single-level expanse of exhibition space has two entry points and countless options for covering its formidable length.—
Leah Ollman,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The research would have to extend into the professional realm to deepen these burgeoning understandings of how the dark facets of ourselves operate, suggesting even the necessity of the shadow as that might be directing our career choices through the world.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The shift is moving medical debt collections into a less regulated realm.—
Noam N. Levey,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Simply grab a ruler, pen, and blank sheet of paper to illustrate your space by substituting the dimensions of the room in feet for inches.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Royals had wished not to submit to the enticing spell being cast by their 2024 top draft pick, knowing that calling him up in a time of need could add another dimension of pressure.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extent. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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