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
Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Available in regular, short, and long sizes, the tapered, wide-leg style creates a leg-lengthening illusion, and the high pocket placements in the back are butt-boosting.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026
The onslaught had forced container shipping companies to sail around southern Africa’s Cape of Good Hope to reach destinations in Europe, North America and South America, lengthening ocean freight transit times in many cases by one to two weeks.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 15 Jan. 2026
Exhale, then round your spine, tucking your chin slightly and pulling your bellybutton inward, lengthening your tailbone.
—Danielle Zickl, Health, 15 Jan. 2026
Sport, the report says, should use its big events to encourage innovation and influence consumer behaviour, as well as becoming more sustainable by cutting waste, reducing its carbon footprint and lengthening the lifespan of sporting equipment.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Spanxshape Scuba Micro Flare Leggings An elevated take on classic, wear-everywhere leggings, these bottoms feature a flattering flare hem designed for a sleek leg-lengthening look that complements anyone’s shape.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2025
Days on market keep lengthening, creating more stale listings.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, her lengthening series of missteps cast fog around Paramount management’s ability to run media properties with any degree of success.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
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
This pair of white straight-leg jeans resembles the model’s denim look with their high-rise waist and leg-lengthening profile.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Available in regular, short, and long sizes, the tapered, wide-leg style creates a leg-lengthening illusion, and the high pocket placements in the back are butt-boosting.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026
The onslaught had forced container shipping companies to sail around southern Africa’s Cape of Good Hope to reach destinations in Europe, North America and South America, lengthening ocean freight transit times in many cases by one to two weeks.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 15 Jan. 2026
Exhale, then round your spine, tucking your chin slightly and pulling your bellybutton inward, lengthening your tailbone.
—Danielle Zickl, Health, 15 Jan. 2026
Sport, the report says, should use its big events to encourage innovation and influence consumer behaviour, as well as becoming more sustainable by cutting waste, reducing its carbon footprint and lengthening the lifespan of sporting equipment.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Spanxshape Scuba Micro Flare Leggings An elevated take on classic, wear-everywhere leggings, these bottoms feature a flattering flare hem designed for a sleek leg-lengthening look that complements anyone’s shape.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2025
Days on market keep lengthening, creating more stale listings.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, her lengthening series of missteps cast fog around Paramount management’s ability to run media properties with any degree of success.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthening
Noun
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This fall, the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo will become eligible for a supermax contract extension.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Murray’s strategy for Lucky Strike includes having its venues serve as physical extensions of the PBA, where fans can watch live broadcasts and engage with athletes, while participating in leagues and watch parties.—
Luisa Beltran,
Sportico.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ferguson has been used as a field-stretching weapon.—
Josh Shepardson,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Many of our students are already concerned with stretching their paychecks to cover food, rent, transportation and child care.—
Austin Barraza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In fact, extending the lives of the sick and elderly can impose net costs on society’s ledgers, costs which government regulatory analyses typically ignore.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The court said the injunction effectively amounted to a universal injunction by extending relief to a sweeping, uncertified class of protesters and observers.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In her recommendation to reduce costs, Maeda suggested decreasing bimonthly water meter service charges for single-family utility customers by 25% and increasing the commodity per unit charge by 12% while maintaining the yearly rate of increase.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
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By connecting publications, grants, patents and policy data, researchers can gain a more holistic view of research – saving time and increasing the likelihood of meaningful discovery.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Offensively, Adebayo mustered just six points on 3 for 10 shooting, prolonging one of his worst offensive slumps in memory.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
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The hardy parasite is also highly attuned to threats and responds with formidable defense mechanisms — prolonging a treatment process that’s already months to years long and often fraught with other hurdles and pain.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This is attributed to two branches of the jet stream merging, and the dip in the jet stream elongating more, which allows for stronger rising motion ahead of the system.—
Trey Fulbright,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
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But the design can be quite elongating if the pair in question has a higher rise and sleek stovepipe leg.—
Alison Syrett Cleary,
InStyle,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthening. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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