Synonyms of lengthening

lengthening 1 of 2

noun

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

• extension
• stretching
• prolongation
• elongation
• prolonging
• drawing out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shortening
• curtailment
• abbreviation
• cutback
• abridgment

lengthening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lengthen

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

• stretching
• extending
• increasing
• prolonging
• elongating
• protracting
• expanding
• dragging (out)
• drawing out
• enlarging
• outstretching
• amplifying
• thinning
• attenuating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shortening
• cutting
• reducing
• decreasing
• curtailing
• diminishing
• cutting back
• lessening
• abridging
• abbreviating
• thickening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lengthening

Noun

The lengthening of the 18-hole course could exclude even more golfers. — New York Times, 26 June 2026

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 new style is part of the Gucci Primavera collection, and the Donna features a striking, pronounced outline and clean lines all around, lengthening the leg. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026

The study, however, didn’t attribute the lengthening delays to flaws in the single-payer system, but rather to the increasing complexity of cancer care and changes in hospital practices. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

These Spanx Micro Flare Pants have a subtle bootcut design for an ultra-flattering, leg-lengthening look. — Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026

Telescopes show Venus's crescent lengthening and thinning throughout the month, but observers at mid-northern latitudes will find Venus's image to be blurred by turbulence low in the sky. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Stein attributed the drop to a lengthening backlog for accounts receivable as Nvidia has loosened payment terms for its many backstopping deals. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Levi’s 726 High-Rise Flare Jeans The flares on these Levi’s jeans start lower on the leg for a cleaner, lengthening line. — Michelle Rostamian, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026

And among those areas that could face a lengthening drought is the Pacific Northwest because of the way the jet stream moves during El Nino. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

The Philadelphia Phillies entered the trade deadline widely expected to pursue a significant upgrade, with much of the speculation centered on adding a right-handed outfielder capable of lengthening the lineup beyond the infield staples. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026