as in extension
the act of making longer
a lengthening of the school year is favored by many of the parents in the school district
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in stretching
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lengthening
Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Instead, gently encourage the lengthening of your muscles.
—Gerard Hartmann, Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
The researchers also searched for molecular signs of a process called alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), a telomere-extending mechanism that doesn’t rely on the usual enzyme, telomerase.
—New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2025
Martin Dyckman, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
The alternative of intensifying and lengthening this war would leave everyone a loser.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
The unique Flex Tower brush is ideal for volumizing and lengthening individual lashes from root to tip.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 18 Mar. 2026
Rather than spending their time packing, unpacking, and setting up the tent, a family with kids can get straight to gathering around a fire or challenging each other to ever-lengthening cold plunges in the spa.
—Naomi Tomky, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Released on the cusp of daylight saving time, this is the perfect album for the onset of spring, when the lengthening days leave more time to soak up the music’s radiance.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
In a shocking reversal in strategy, Universal Pictures is lengthening the time that its movies will play exclusively in theaters.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
This time around, Verlander can slot in between RHPs Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize in lengthening out one of the game’s best rotations.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
The semi-sheer knit crochet top layers seamlessly over a tank for depth and contrast without losing coziness, while the gently high-rise, wide-leg pants add a leg-lengthening effect that makes the whole look feel polished and on-trend.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
The solstice signifies the start of winter and also heralds the incremental lengthening of days, symbolizing hope and renewal in many cultures.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Instead, gently encourage the lengthening of your muscles.
—Gerard Hartmann, Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
The researchers also searched for molecular signs of a process called alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), a telomere-extending mechanism that doesn’t rely on the usual enzyme, telomerase.
—New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
Trouble is, the Legislature has had no trouble finding excuses to enact and renew an ever-lengthening list of exemptions.
—Martin Dyckman, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
The alternative of intensifying and lengthening this war would leave everyone a loser.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
The unique Flex Tower brush is ideal for volumizing and lengthening individual lashes from root to tip.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 18 Mar. 2026
Rather than spending their time packing, unpacking, and setting up the tent, a family with kids can get straight to gathering around a fire or challenging each other to ever-lengthening cold plunges in the spa.
—Naomi Tomky, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Released on the cusp of daylight saving time, this is the perfect album for the onset of spring, when the lengthening days leave more time to soak up the music’s radiance.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
In a shocking reversal in strategy, Universal Pictures is lengthening the time that its movies will play exclusively in theaters.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
This time around, Verlander can slot in between RHPs Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize in lengthening out one of the game’s best rotations.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
The semi-sheer knit crochet top layers seamlessly over a tank for depth and contrast without losing coziness, while the gently high-rise, wide-leg pants add a leg-lengthening effect that makes the whole look feel polished and on-trend.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthening
Noun
-
Fely reached the 40-rep mark, but two were deemed not to have reached full extension and were subtracted from his total.—
Darin Oswald,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Mar. 2026
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Kuku is positioning it as a genre first for Indian cinema, with the theatrical setting central to its strategy – the company sees the communal big-screen experience as distinct from, rather than an extension of, its existing digital offerings.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Then again, there’s plenty of reason to be skeptical with billions already being made from an ecosystem that is stretching fans’ wallets.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The red flag warning covers 27 counties stretching from southwest Iowa to the Des Moines area.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Des Moines Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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San Antonio closed the first quarter with a 38-31 advantage before extending is lead up to 20 points in the second quarter and entering halftime with an 18-point lead.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
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Speakers also credited Pelosi with securing ongoing funding for extending Caltrain to the Salesforce Transit Center and providing rescue funds to keep local transit agencies running during the pandemic.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The rapid melting is also increasing avalanche activity in unusual places.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Yet an increasing number of endurance athletes are taking on these longer ultramarathons.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The latest escalation has raised fears among corporate executives that the conflict will drag on for months, prolonging uncertainty for the global economy.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
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But the district appealed that decision just days before the school year began, prolonging what has now become a years-long legal battle.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The bootcut shape is leg-elongating, while the back seams and pockets add a butt-lifting effect.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The vertical navy stripe pattern is classic and elongating, with a pop of color in the green-and-yellow collar accent that keeps it feeling fresh.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthening. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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