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
Ohtani’s solo shot was the extent of the Dodgers’ offense in the first inning, but the following frame saw Los Angeles post a true crooked number.
—
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 June 2025
The Scoop Top Pentagon officials have been divided over the extent of US military support for Israel, a split whose resolution will shape President Donald Trump’s second-term foreign policy.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 June 2025
In the audio files, obtained by TMZ, dispatchers can be heard describing the extent of the injuries sustained by the victims at both residences.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 14 June 2025
New York, Illinois, and California each enacted one or some of these measures last year; there’s been movement in a similar direction, albeit to differing extents, in Connecticut, Maryland, Kansas, Hawaii, Washington State, and Oregon.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for extent
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 June 2025
The Scoop Top Pentagon officials have been divided over the extent of US military support for Israel, a split whose resolution will shape President Donald Trump’s second-term foreign policy.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 June 2025
In the audio files, obtained by TMZ, dispatchers can be heard describing the extent of the injuries sustained by the victims at both residences.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 14 June 2025
New York, Illinois, and California each enacted one or some of these measures last year; there’s been movement in a similar direction, albeit to differing extents, in Connecticut, Maryland, Kansas, Hawaii, Washington State, and Oregon.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for extent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extent
Noun
-
The short answer: No. No fireworks, including sparklers and pop snaps, can be set off within Fort Worth city limits, according to City code.—
Samara Gerstle,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 June 2025
-
Graduate students will have the current $20,500 annual limit, and a $100,000 lifetime, while professional students will have the $50,000 annual limit and $200,000 lifetime.—
Robert Farrington,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
Four years ago advances were being made on many of the political issues popular with people whose political views ranged from progressive to centrist such as DEI, ESG, CSR, climate change, the expansion of alternative energy and foreign aid.—
David Hessekiel,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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That’s because, when President Barack Obama created DACA in 2012 and sought to expand it via executive order in 2015, a Texas judge blocked the expansion with a nationwide injunction.—
Cassandra Burke Robertson,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
The language would have required a plaintiff seeking an emergency court order or preliminary injunction against the administration to pay a costly bond up front, limiting the scope of legal action against Trump’s executive actions.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
23 June 2025
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Only after the June 24-25 summit meeting in The Hague – where North Atlantic Treaty Organization members will pledge to spend 5% of GDP on defense – will the US present its military review, which will spell out the scope of what are likely significant reductions in Europe.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
When selecting flowering trees for the landscape, pay attention to site conditions and plan for the tree’s mature size.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
-
However, just five years ago, no one could’ve predicted that millions of people around the world would soon be regularly bingeing South Korean shows on Netflix—or that the streamer’s biggest show ever would be a dystopian thriller from a tiny country roughly the size of Indiana.—
Regina Kim,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
This protection mechanism has clear limitations, though.—
Kara Dennison,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
-
The study also hasn’t yet been peer-reviewed and has some limitations in its design.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
Over the past decade, researchers have conducted multiple experiments using vast expanses of water and ice that are designed to search for neutrinos, which could shed light on mysterious cosmic rays, the most highly energetic particles in the universe.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
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Located in Santa Paula, the $10 million Converse Ranch is a 117-year-old riverside expanse of more than 174 acres.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
Indeed, it’s never made anything less than a good one, with a number of them ranking in the excellent-to-stone-cold-classic realm.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
20 June 2025
-
The first in the series, Crown of War and Shadow, introduces readers to a complex mystical realm, thrilling action sequences and a new sweeping love story.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
The traditional singular focus on profit is evolving into a more nuanced framework that balances four dimensions: people, planet, profit and purpose — the quadruple bottom line.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
Local photographers documented the nuances of daily life in Cairo with intimacy and urgency, while international artists added new dimensions to the conversation, enriching the global context without overshadowing the local.—
Daniel Rodríguez Gordillo,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Extent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extent. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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