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
Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Along with leg-lengthening jeans and walkable but cute footwear, one of the easiest items to add into your spring rotation is a basic button-up shirt.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
The lengthening deployments come as Ukrainian commanders in other units have warned of personnel issues, acknowledging that the army will never match the manpower of Russia’s far larger military force.
—Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Adams expressed hopes that any potential litigation and other ongoing disputes can be resolved without further lengthening the project timeline.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Cuts to federal Medi-Cal financing will destabilize public hospitals, lengthening emergency room waits and reducing services.
—Susan Ellenberg, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Before the start of the Iran war in late February, China's lead in clean technologies was lengthening.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
Start Early and Plant into Fall Maximize your small space by lengthening your growing season.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
These stretchy, flattering jeans come in a range of washes that are both leg-lengthening and easy to move around in.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 7 Apr. 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 same instinct shows up in the lifestyle creator influencer accent, characterized by uptalk and the lengthening and extra stressing on words.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Along with leg-lengthening jeans and walkable but cute footwear, one of the easiest items to add into your spring rotation is a basic button-up shirt.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
The lengthening deployments come as Ukrainian commanders in other units have warned of personnel issues, acknowledging that the army will never match the manpower of Russia’s far larger military force.
—Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Adams expressed hopes that any potential litigation and other ongoing disputes can be resolved without further lengthening the project timeline.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Cuts to federal Medi-Cal financing will destabilize public hospitals, lengthening emergency room waits and reducing services.
—Susan Ellenberg, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Before the start of the Iran war in late February, China's lead in clean technologies was lengthening.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
Start Early and Plant into Fall Maximize your small space by lengthening your growing season.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
These stretchy, flattering jeans come in a range of washes that are both leg-lengthening and easy to move around in.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthening
Noun
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Trump could also give himself a 30-day extension to continue operations.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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This extension of Josh's sentence comes at the same time that his fourth, and final, appeal of his 2021 conviction is working its way through the courts.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Reznik said while the San Gabriel River system and adjacent spreading grounds, stretching from Irwindale to Long Beach, work exceptionally well, capturing 90% of the local runoff that percolates into underground basins for later use, that’s not true of some other waterways in the county.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Completed in 1981 but recently updated, the five-bedroom, four-bath dwelling comes with white oak hardwood floors, wood-beam ceilings, wide arched doorways, and oversized picture windows overlooking bicoastal views stretching from Moloka’i to Lana’i.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The plan, conveyed through mediators in Pakistan to break a stalemate with Washington, calls for extending the ceasefire so the parties can work toward a permanent end to the fighting, Axios said.—
Jon Herskovitz,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
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Vargas then homered to left field, extending the lead to 8-5.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Adrian Meyer, Christie’s global head of private sales, outlined one idea for the increasing popularity of the sales channel.—
George Nelson,
ARTnews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Highlighting the industry’s growing needs, demand for highly functional textile solutions is increasing across sectors, driven by rising investment in security, defense and disaster response.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These dynamic risks are prolonging inflation and complicating the path for central banks, which may need to keep interest rates higher for longer to contain price pressures.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Peace talks have stalled ahead of the war’s two-month mark, prolonging oil disruptions and stoking higher gas prices around the world.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Channel Oprah’s elongating look by pairing the jeans with a denim jacket in the same wash.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
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Wide-leg jeans are elongating, instantly polished-looking, and can be dressed up or down with ease.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthening. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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