as in extends
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
Relevance
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 lengthens
Requiring a shareholder vote introduces uncertainty, lengthens timelines, and raises the risk that a cable spinoff could be rejected or delayed.
—
Corey Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Customers agree that the curved brush lengthens and volumizes their lashes, while the formula is smudge-, flake-, clump-, and sweat-proof.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
This mascara builds volume and lengthens your lashes while staying still on the eyes.
—Shalwah Evans, Glamour, 31 Dec. 2025
The story blooms and lengthens and sprawls, going from generation to generation, reckoning with the weight of lineage and history and wounds.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
Old standbys and new treatments Topical minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, is a foam available over-the-counter that lengthens the growth phase of the hair cycle, keeping more hair on the head at any one time.
—Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 23 Nov. 2025
This lengthens your body, opens your chest, and lets your arms fall into a more natural position.
—Christine Buzan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
Within a couple of weeks of getting exercise, aerobic activity initiates cellular changes that increase the amount of plasma in the blood, which allows the blood to deliver more oxygen to the muscles and lengthens endurance.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2025
While ChatGPT may initially recommend suicide hotlines, the AI could later give harmful answers as the conversation lengthens.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
Corey Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Customers agree that the curved brush lengthens and volumizes their lashes, while the formula is smudge-, flake-, clump-, and sweat-proof.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
This mascara builds volume and lengthens your lashes while staying still on the eyes.
—Shalwah Evans, Glamour, 31 Dec. 2025
The story blooms and lengthens and sprawls, going from generation to generation, reckoning with the weight of lineage and history and wounds.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
Old standbys and new treatments Topical minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, is a foam available over-the-counter that lengthens the growth phase of the hair cycle, keeping more hair on the head at any one time.
—Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 23 Nov. 2025
This lengthens your body, opens your chest, and lets your arms fall into a more natural position.
—Christine Buzan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
Within a couple of weeks of getting exercise, aerobic activity initiates cellular changes that increase the amount of plasma in the blood, which allows the blood to deliver more oxygen to the muscles and lengthens endurance.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2025
While ChatGPT may initially recommend suicide hotlines, the AI could later give harmful answers as the conversation lengthens.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthens
Verb
-
The lane – one used to absorb traffic during construction work – extends from just north of Paddock Road to State Route 562, also known as the Norwood Lateral.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Support sits at $245, while resistance is near $260 and extends to $265.—
Nishant Pant,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That’s because the physical exertion of shoveling increases heart rate and blood pressure, while at the same time the cold constricts blood vessels–a double whammy of stressors.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Researchers in Hong Kong have developed a low-cost hydrogel coating that cools solar panel hot spots and increases the power output, thus improving their overall performance and reliability.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That path through air bends and filters sunlight, scattering blues and letting reds and oranges linger, often creating a razor-thin gradient that stretches thousands of miles along the planet's curve.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The history of the Kings in the NBA The Kings’ history stretches back well before its Kansas City days.—
Alexa Stone,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The drug also causes food to linger in the stomach, which prolongs the feeling of fullness.—
Christina Stiehl,
SELF,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Pulling back may feel prudent in the short run, but history suggests that underinvestment during transitions is what prolongs instability rather than reducing it.—
Chris Bradley,
Fortune,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This effect visually elongates and lends a casual elegance.—
Emma Mehl,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2026
-
KimChi Chic Give Me Grip PDRN Primer This primer elongates wear, amplifies pigment, and turns skin into a smooth canvas.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthens. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
