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
Relevance
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
Annie Blackman, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
Starting pitchers are lengthening starts, prospects are turning heads and the World Baseball Classic is about to start.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026
An extended riff on the leg-lengthening surgery from Materialists, of course.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
Bring it into 2026 by lengthening the pants.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2026
In the fall, some of Nvidia's most important customers were catching heat for lengthening depreciation times in what critics called financial engineering designed to inflate their earnings.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
The regulation also would extend the time asylum seekers must wait before becoming eligible to apply for a work permit, lengthening the period from 150 days to 365 days.
—Andrea Castillo Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
Bootcut is the style of the season thanks to its leg-lengthening effect and versatility.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
The regulation also would extend the time asylum seekers must wait before becoming eligible to apply for a work permit, lengthening the period from 150 days to 365 days.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 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
The Ribcage Wide-Leg jeans have a high-rise waist that’s right on trend, along with a leg-lengthening inseam and non-stretch denim that breaks in beautifully.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
Starting pitchers are lengthening starts, prospects are turning heads and the World Baseball Classic is about to start.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026
An extended riff on the leg-lengthening surgery from Materialists, of course.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
Bring it into 2026 by lengthening the pants.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2026
In the fall, some of Nvidia's most important customers were catching heat for lengthening depreciation times in what critics called financial engineering designed to inflate their earnings.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
The regulation also would extend the time asylum seekers must wait before becoming eligible to apply for a work permit, lengthening the period from 150 days to 365 days.
—Andrea Castillo Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
Bootcut is the style of the season thanks to its leg-lengthening effect and versatility.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
The regulation also would extend the time asylum seekers must wait before becoming eligible to apply for a work permit, lengthening the period from 150 days to 365 days.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthening
Noun
-
The modern extension in the rear of the 19th-century main villa is an elegantly spartan affair that somehow complements the 19th-century edifice and brings in the surrounding foliage.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Bernier has supported sending the millage extension to voters.—
Steve Patterson,
Florida Times-Union,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Israel has struck sites in Beirut's suburbs and issued a blanket warning for residents south of the Litani River -- an area in southern Lebanon stretching to the border with Israel -- to evacuate their homes, but had not previously issued a blanket evacuation order for Beirut's southern suburbs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
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Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi An enormous inland pool of clear water stretching as far as the eye can see, Lake Malawi offers many opportunities for affordable lakeside leisure.—
Melanie van Zyl,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The team can open up additional cap space by releasing, trading, restructuring or extending contracts.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Benchmark futures jumped as much as 30% on Monday, extending their biggest weekly advance since the energy crisis.—
Priscila Azevedo Rocha,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The series became a bestselling book, increasing Anderson’s profile as an incisive commentator with biting wit but very little malice.—
Jessica Lipsky,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
With tax incentives reduced and competition increasing, analysts expect EV sales growth in China to slow.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If common ground isn’t found, the federal government will be forced to intervene, which will most definitely trigger a flood of lengthy state litigations, only prolonging and worsening the crisis.—
Pete McBride,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Aging systems, including the roof, electrical and plumbing infrastructure, would continue to deteriorate, potentially increasing long-term costs and prolonging uncertainty around the building’s future.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These inexpensive-but-luxe-looking trousers give the wearer the best of both worlds with an elongating silhouette and chic bootcut that’s ideal for office wear and a faux fly that eliminates the need for buttons or zippers.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Feb. 2026
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The breezy, wide-leg design combined with leg-elongating side stripes creates a flattering, fashion-forward look that feels California-approved.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthening. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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