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 The formula pairs glycerin and flexible polymers to coat and define every lash without weighing them down, while the dual-length brush prevents clumps and lengthens from root to tip. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 15 Oct. 2026 Aerohart also lengthens the Aviator's Ember to give users more leverage in plunging the piston. — New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026 Bregman’s improvement has been a complement to Pete Crow-Armstrong’s incredible season and lengthens the Cubs lineup. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026 Farther still, as the road straightens and lengthens, the view is of open space. — Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026 The sideways lean becomes a forward one, the gap between his legs increases, and his feet begin landing beneath or slightly behind his centre of mass as his stride lengthens. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthens
  1. extends
  2. increases
  3. stretches
  4. prolongs
  5. elongates
Verb
  • Applegate’s willingness to share her experience has brought attention to an issue that extends far beyond any one person’s diagnosis.
    — Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But the versatility of the color doesn’t end with clothes; the beauty of camel extends to accessories, making even the smallest details feel luxe.
    — InStyle, InStyle, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of extends
Verb
  • Treating these as separate challenges increases cost and complexity over time.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • As the bleak second law of thermodynamics states, entropy always increases over time in a closed system.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of increases
Verb
  • More specifically, the Base-01 stretches out over a patch of earthen floor measuring 183 sq ft (17 sq m) – about the same amount of floor as this handsome Ikea tiny home.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The first island chain, which stretches from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines, is a central geographic feature in US and Chinese military planning.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of stretches
Verb
  • The vote prolongs the crisis and raises the chance of early elections at a time of regional security concerns, with the NATO member confronting a sharp increase in drone incursions linked to Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine.
    — Stephen McGrath, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • For other digital-asset businesses, however, the failure prolongs uncertainty.
    — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of prolongs
Verb
  • Spanx’s Authentic 360 jeans feature subtly stretchy fabric that maintains its structure, built-in shaping panels that smooth the stomach, waist, and back, and a casual-cool raw hem kick flare that elongates the legs.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2026
  • It’s made from 98 percent cotton with a hint of elastane, offering a comfortable, stretchy, and figure-flattering fit that accentuates my waistline, while the not-too-short hem elongates my legs.
    — Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of elongates

Browse Nearby Words

lengthening
lengthens
lengthiness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthens. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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