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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Annie Blackman, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026
Celebs like Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Garner have recently worn this leg-lengthening style, which is sleek without feeling tight or restrictive.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
The bill would essentially prioritize people committed under the new process over those waiting for competency restoration services, potentially lengthening the competency waitlist, said Jack Johnson, public policy liaison at Disability Law Colorado.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Arriving too early can have the adverse effect of lengthening wait times, according to the airports.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Detention stays are lengthening in part because of the administration's decision last summer to restrict bond hearings in immigration court.
—Martin Kaste, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
Trouble is, the Legislature has had no trouble finding excuses to enact and renew an ever-lengthening list of exemptions.
—Martin Dyckman, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
The alternative of intensifying and lengthening this war would leave everyone a loser.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
The unique Flex Tower brush is ideal for volumizing and lengthening individual lashes from root to tip.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 18 Mar. 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 stretchy, flattering jeans come in a range of washes that are both leg-lengthening and easy to move around in.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026
Celebs like Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Garner have recently worn this leg-lengthening style, which is sleek without feeling tight or restrictive.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
The bill would essentially prioritize people committed under the new process over those waiting for competency restoration services, potentially lengthening the competency waitlist, said Jack Johnson, public policy liaison at Disability Law Colorado.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Arriving too early can have the adverse effect of lengthening wait times, according to the airports.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Detention stays are lengthening in part because of the administration's decision last summer to restrict bond hearings in immigration court.
—Martin Kaste, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
Trouble is, the Legislature has had no trouble finding excuses to enact and renew an ever-lengthening list of exemptions.
—Martin Dyckman, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
The alternative of intensifying and lengthening this war would leave everyone a loser.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
The unique Flex Tower brush is ideal for volumizing and lengthening individual lashes from root to tip.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthening
Noun
-
The four-year extension means that bond will run through the 2030 season.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Junis put two runners on base with no outs before getting back-to-back batters to fly out to the outfield before Higashioka took a dribbler and rocketed a throw to first, with an excellent extension from Jake Burger, for the game’s final out.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trolley lines move across the city, stretching as far West as the Darby Transit Center and back East toward 13th street.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
At Fourth and Bainbridge streets in the Queen Village neighborhood, drivers are slowing, stopping and swerving to avoid two large potholes stretching across the roadway.—
Ross DiMattei,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The same applies to the brilliant turquoise of Turks and Caicos’s water, extending miles beyond its shoreline like an electrified aura.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Without extending the boundary, the same area that was under threat of annexation by Hialeah in 2023 remains at risk.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The film is set in a mountain village where an elderly woman named Hettie (Hettie Farmer) lives alone on a small farm, tending her flock of goats with increasing difficulty.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
New York City Councilwoman Farah Louis is under increasing scrutiny amid a federal public corruption investigation involving the state’s homeless shelters for migrants.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shipping and oil-market analysts say a ceasefire without a plan to reopen the strait risks leaving the strategic artery in Tehran’s hands, prolonging the shock.—
Gerry Doyle,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Try Lasagna Planting Another popular planting technique that can work well for prolonging your garden’s blooms is the lasagna method.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The bootcut shape is leg-elongating, while the back seams and pockets add a butt-lifting effect.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
-
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,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthening. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
