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
-
The extension gives county leaders more time to review how data centers should be regulated as metro Atlanta continues to attract more development tied to artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other digital services.—
Jamal Goss,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Presenting what must be some of the Riviera's most impressive views, every room of the hotel has access to 180-degree uninterrupted vistas of the Mediterranean sea and coastline stretching from Italy all the way along to the Principality and beyond.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
-
There was also a giant tree stretching across Laflin Street about a block from the scene of the fire, after being felled by the storms on Wednesday.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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As an increasing number of American communities – more than 4,000 and counting – have fallen victim to mass shootings since 2016, survivors increasingly say their path to healing is one that may never be complete.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
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Eight years later, Loomis voters approved Measure C with more than 71% support, extending the existing tax without increasing the rate.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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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
-
Kabuga, somewhere in his 90s — his age is disputed — and suffering from severe dementia, had been forced to remain in the United Nations detention facility in The Hague after he was found unfit to stand trial in 2023 as no country was willing to take him in, prolonging the case against him.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
Verb
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The simple design is often paired with capris or minidresses, elongating the leg.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
-
Boasting a roomy, leg-elongating silhouette, these versatile pants transition seamlessly from the office (just add a sharp button-down shirt, heels, and an oversized blazer) to a weekend brunch in your favorite sandals, tank top, or tee.—
Jacquelyn McGilvray,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthening. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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