as in extended
to make longer
I had to lengthen the handle of the paint roller in order to reach the top of the wall
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 lengthened
The median age of survival since 1970 is 29 years and, while there is no cure and physical deterioration is inevitable, advancements in care have lengthened life expectancy.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
When the season was lengthened to include October and November, the hunting improved dramatically.
—Worth Matthewson, Outdoor Life, 2 Oct. 2025
As the evening lengthened, though, the room grew more and more unified in opposition.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 24 Sep. 2025
The adjustable shoulder strap can be shortened or lengthened to find your perfect fit.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2025
As the Universe expands, the wavelength of each photon gets lengthened by the expansion, meaning that the amount of energy present in the form of radiation decreases faster than the amount of energy present in the form of matter in the expanding Universe.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
Anecdotes of patients who have undergone multicancer screening and had their lives lengthened by early discovery of cancer should be taken seriously.
—Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
Legislators lengthened the state’s deadline to prosecute rapes of adults from 10 to 15 years.
—Willoughby Mariano, ProPublica, 11 Sep. 2025
In 2007, the season was lengthened—again with energy in mind—pushing the start to March’s second Sunday and the end to November’s first Sunday.
—Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
When the season was lengthened to include October and November, the hunting improved dramatically.
—Worth Matthewson, Outdoor Life, 2 Oct. 2025
As the evening lengthened, though, the room grew more and more unified in opposition.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 24 Sep. 2025
The adjustable shoulder strap can be shortened or lengthened to find your perfect fit.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2025
As the Universe expands, the wavelength of each photon gets lengthened by the expansion, meaning that the amount of energy present in the form of radiation decreases faster than the amount of energy present in the form of matter in the expanding Universe.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
Anecdotes of patients who have undergone multicancer screening and had their lives lengthened by early discovery of cancer should be taken seriously.
—Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
Legislators lengthened the state’s deadline to prosecute rapes of adults from 10 to 15 years.
—Willoughby Mariano, ProPublica, 11 Sep. 2025
In 2007, the season was lengthened—again with energy in mind—pushing the start to March’s second Sunday and the end to November’s first Sunday.
—Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthened
Verb
-
In response, Taipei has extended mandatory military service from four months to one year, boosted arms purchases from its top supplier, the United States, and modestly raised defense spending—measures that have met stiff resistance from opposition lawmakers.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Mike Matheny’s contract was extended through 2020 at the end of the 2016 season, though he was fired in 2018.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Duha With a fun collection that stretched from footwear to bags and a capsule of ready-to-wear pieces, Duha Bukadi investigated how her origins influence her work.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
-
But that pool has already been stretched thin by recent income-support programs, and Congress hasn’t yet replenished it this fiscal year.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In recent years the amount of screen time at school has increased as students and teachers transition to digital learning.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
-
What To Know OpenMinds said that Russia had increased its contract military recruitment in 2025, with a 40 percent year-on-year increase in social media ads, especially on the social network VK, during the first half of 2025.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Strong, prolonged damaging wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph will continue to lash the coast as the storm crawls north through Monday.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Some coastal areas could see several inches of rain, gusty winds, beach erosion, and prolonged coastal flooding, regardless of tropical development.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lengthened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthened. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share