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

Both could go a long way in lengthening the Yankees’ postseason lineup; the righty-swinging Lombard, in particular, provides some needed balance. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

These movements take joints through active ranges of motion, lengthening and engaging muscles to support and control movement. — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Valjean’s famous bread-theft-to-feed-his-starving-family here becomes a footchase/fight setpiece before he is caught and consigned to an ever-lengthening prison sentence. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

So Chimedza chose not to move forward with lengthening his limbs, though confidence in that choice did not arrive immediately. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

The leg-lengthening silhouette looks especially good with ballet heels or chunky sneakers for an extra vertical boost. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 12 Sep. 2026

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