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
Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 17 June 2026
The other is the bears’ lengthening year.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
The high-rise pair is fitted through the thighs before widening at the bottom, creating a flattering, leg-lengthening silhouette.
—Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 7 June 2026
These pants sit high on the waist, creating a leg-lengthening effect, and the side slits at the hem are perfect for showing off your Cushionaire sandals.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
And men are indeed lengthening their limbs, flying to international clinics, having metal rods inserted into their bones, and then, after a brutal recovery process, relearning how to walk.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
Democratic leaders seem determined not to allow anything to get in the way of winning Maine’s Senate seat, even if that requires willful blindness toward Platner’s lengthening record of indiscretions.
—Shannon A. Mullen, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Hudson is 5-foot-6 but appeared supermodel-tall in the photos, thanks in part to her leg-lengthening jeans.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Allred was the top vote-getter in March but did not get enough votes to avoid a runoff against Johnson, lengthening an already nasty race.
—Fin Daniel Gómez, CBS News, 27 May 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
While there are lash-growth serums, lengthening mascaras, and even professional lash extensions, knowing when and how to use each of these methods is what will actually make a difference.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 17 June 2026
The other is the bears’ lengthening year.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
The high-rise pair is fitted through the thighs before widening at the bottom, creating a flattering, leg-lengthening silhouette.
—Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 7 June 2026
These pants sit high on the waist, creating a leg-lengthening effect, and the side slits at the hem are perfect for showing off your Cushionaire sandals.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
And men are indeed lengthening their limbs, flying to international clinics, having metal rods inserted into their bones, and then, after a brutal recovery process, relearning how to walk.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
Democratic leaders seem determined not to allow anything to get in the way of winning Maine’s Senate seat, even if that requires willful blindness toward Platner’s lengthening record of indiscretions.
—Shannon A. Mullen, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Hudson is 5-foot-6 but appeared supermodel-tall in the photos, thanks in part to her leg-lengthening jeans.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Allred was the top vote-getter in March but did not get enough votes to avoid a runoff against Johnson, lengthening an already nasty race.
—Fin Daniel Gómez, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthening
Noun
-
Matt Chapman signed his extension before Posey took over, but his first big move was bringing in free-agent shortstop Willy Adames.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
-
While there are lash-growth serums, lengthening mascaras, and even professional lash extensions, knowing when and how to use each of these methods is what will actually make a difference.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Data centers are contained in buildings stretching as far as a football field, housing thousands of continually running machines.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 June 2026
-
But the Los Angeles pianist still loves stretching out with a small combo.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The Orioles made those big moves in signing Pete Alonso and trading for and extending Shane Baz.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Different genes for different cytokines, growth factors or other proteins could be swapped in to target specific diseases of the ocular surface, potentially extending the approach beyond corneal wounds to chronic inflammatory conditions.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
In the study, which analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health collected between 2021 and 2024, researchers say that despite numerous state-level bans on kratom across the nation, its use is at an all-time high and is increasing.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
These whales face increasing threats from climate change and human activity.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
There is potential for a drier, warmer summer across the Northwest, northern Plains, and the Upper Midwest, prolonging ongoing drought in some areas and increasing wildfire risk, according to AccuWeather.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
The idea here is to dissuade teams from prolonging their rebuilds.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, her shoes were hidden beneath her untailored bottom trim, elongating her figure.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
-
The collection includes dresses of all lengths, elongating jeans, everyday tees, and more warm-weather staples.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthening. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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