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
Relevance
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
Big Think, 1 May 2026
Regrading your property, cleaning overflowing gutters, and lengthening downspouts to direct water away from the house can help.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
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
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 lengthening effect happens all the time for all sorts of waves, not just light.
—Big Think, 1 May 2026
Regrading your property, cleaning overflowing gutters, and lengthening downspouts to direct water away from the house can help.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthening
Noun
-
The Vikings signed Van Ginkel to a two-year, $20 million contract during free agency in 2024 and tacked on a one-year, $23 million extension last offseason.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
-
Simison noted that the Idaho 16 extension and improvements on Linder Road are expected to alleviate congestion on Ten Mile Road.—
Rose Evans
Updated May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The Moon in Capricorn moves through your 3rd House, opposing Jupiter in your 9th, stretching the gap between details and interpretation.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 May 2026
-
Meteor showers occur on a predictable schedule each year, with some lasting for mere days and others stretching on for weeks.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
And of course Mike Brown pulled Mitchell Robinson, who missed four straight free throws when the 76ers began intentionally fouling him in the first quarter, only to continue extending the lead despite the Sixers’ attempts at stifling his rotation.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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For his part, Becerra supports extending existing measures like Propositions 30 and 55, both of which call for much smaller tax increases on a larger share of citizens.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
This feeling of stasis is made all the more worrying by Ukraine’s increasing ability to strike inside Russia itself.—
Joshua Yaffa,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
Verdier says the increasing regulation in the car industry and the push to move away from fossil fuels are part of the reason why Ferrari is so enthusiastic about this project.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
While Clarkson isn’t the first star to break out front-seam jeans — Laura Dern previously took the denim cut for a spin — her outfit reminded us of just how easily the style can make an average outfit feel awe-worthy (not to mention how great the cut is for elongating figures).—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
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The vertical navy stripe pattern is classic and elongating, with a pop of color in the green-and-yellow collar accent that keeps it feeling fresh.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthening. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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