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
Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
Olive, black, and burgundy can all work well, provided that no one color is overshadowing another—and that the overall effect is cohesive lengthening instead of disjointed.
—Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 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
Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Climate change is lengthening that season.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 14 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
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
Olive, black, and burgundy can all work well, provided that no one color is overshadowing another—and that the overall effect is cohesive lengthening instead of disjointed.
—Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 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
Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Climate change is lengthening that season.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthening
Noun
-
To Crowley and Dixit, their multispecies map is a natural extension of this worldview by identifying places meaningful to Penryn’s nonhuman residents and visitors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Officers said that the department's Traffic Unit is currently investigating the crash and asked anyone who witnessed the accident or might have information to get in touch at (805) 928-3781, extension 1139.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Even five minutes of slower breathing, stepping outside for sunlight, stretching or taking a short walk can help your body transition more smoothly into the day.—
Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
The top viewpoint is Monte Gelbison, which on clear days offers views stretching as far as the island of Stromboli.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The original 1900 barn has been expanded into a five-bedroom, open-plan home with decks extending from both levels and a 25-foot-tall great room topped by a loft with wood railings.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
8 June 2026
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Right fielder Jung Hoo Lee stayed white-hot by extending his MLB-leading hitting streak to 15 games with an opposite-field RBI single in the top of the first.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Leading up to Election Day, the Democratic share of those later ballots, which often determine the outcome in California, was steadily increasing as liberal-leaning voters began to make their choice.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
At that time, Musk accused the FTC of aggressively increasing the number of investigative demands.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The idea here is to dissuade teams from prolonging their rebuilds.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
2 June 2026
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The green beans provide shade, prolonging the spinach growing season by preventing bolting and excess sun exposure.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
This relaxed pair has leg-elongating front seams — a popular trend among stars like Kelly Clarkson and Laura Dern.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
-
The long square shape makes this manicure feel even more refined, creating a sleek, elongating effect that keeps things looking effortlessly polished.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthening. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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