lengthens

verb

present tense third-person singular of lengthen
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

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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 Tucking your chin gently toward the floor while lying down lengthens the back of the neck. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026 Its bitterness opens the palate, while the tea lengthens the drink without relying on more alcohol. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 The secret is to choose a top with vertical details—think visible buttons, linear embroidery, or a high neck that visually lengthens the torso. — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 9 July 2026 For greater tensile strength, the Bluesign partner is using looms from Muller and Kyang Yhe to create webbing with an even density that lessens the amount the material lengthens when under tension. — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 6 July 2026 These Levi’s 314 Shaping Straight Jeans and Classic Straight Jeans, for example, have an elongating silhouette that lengthens the legs. — Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 30 June 2026 It’s made of soft pebbled leather with a fabric lining, and the adjustable strap lengthens to 22 inches to get the best fit. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 June 2026 Francisco Alvarez’s return lengthens the lineup. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 13 June 2026 To begin the response this belatedly only lengthens the road to resolution. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthens
  1. extends
  2. increases
  3. stretches
  4. prolongs
  5. elongates
Verb
  • This design keeps wet dust and salt fog away from sensitive internal electronics, which extends the operational service life of the hardware to ten years and lowers maintenance requirements.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Seniors search for alternatives The impact extends to older swimmers as well.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of extends
Verb
  • Leaders should ask whether a new location grows the customer base, deepens existing relationships, or increases purchase frequency or spending enough to offset channel substitution.
    — Ayşe Çetinel, Harvard Business Review, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But the price of doing so is constantly rising, as technology increases the range and magnitude of horrible possibilities.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of increases
Verb
  • Today, the Atlantic City boardwalk stretches a little more than 5 miles long.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Placer is a Republican county that stretches from the Sacramento suburbs to the northwestern shores of Lake Tahoe.
    — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of stretches
Verb
  • Whey proteins from Greek yogurt digest relatively quickly, while casein in cottage cheese forms a gastric gel that slows digestion and prolongs nutrient absorption.
    — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 23 July 2026
  • Chief Estella Patterson told committee members officers have a hard time determining the exact age of juveniles without an ID, which delays the investigation and prolongs police interactions.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026
Definition of prolongs
Verb
  • The drop-waist elongates the torso to create the illusion of height, all while concealing pesky lines due to the breathable pleats.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The two-inch platform adds just enough height without feeling unstable and subtly elongates my legs, while still being easy to walk in.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of elongates

Browse Nearby Words

lengthening
lengthens
lengthiness
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Cite this Entry

“Lengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthens. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lengthens

Nglish: Translation of lengthens for Spanish Speakers

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