as in to broaden
to increase the width, breadth, or scope of
Immediate action to widen the highway is needed to ease the near constant congestion. The authorities planned to widen their investigation into Ponzi scheme.
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Recent Examples of widen
So far this year, three Democratic members of Congress over age 70—Representatives Gerry Connolly, Sylvester Turner and Raúl Grijalva—have died, temporarily widening the GOP’s narrow majority in the House.
—
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Tapestry laid out its new strategic vision in September, aiming to build Coach to a $10 billion business by widening the definition of its target audience and essentially going after everybody who might conceivably buy a handbag, not just the people who bought one last year.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
The gap between wealthy and lower-income households is widening, according to analysts.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Peter’s eyes widen in understanding.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for widen
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Tapestry laid out its new strategic vision in September, aiming to build Coach to a $10 billion business by widening the definition of its target audience and essentially going after everybody who might conceivably buy a handbag, not just the people who bought one last year.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
The gap between wealthy and lower-income households is widening, according to analysts.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Peter’s eyes widen in understanding.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for widen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widen
Verb
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This started as a response to male violence against women, but broadened out to become a protest against male oppression.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
9 Nov. 2025
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Rather than focusing only on events designed for networking, broaden your list to include open houses, community forums, conferences, and any other meeting where people from your field (or from a variety of professions) might be gathered.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In addition to WeRide and Pony AI, Baidu is also expanding its robotaxi offerings through its Apollo Go vehicles.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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That includes a new and robust collaboration with Brazil’s federal government and 22 of its states—including Pará—to expand cooperation on climate action.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Violence has intensified, humanitarian aid remains blocked, and political prisoners, including my mother, remain behind bars.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
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Yet even among a number of Christians seeking to raise awareness and intensify efforts to put an end to systematic abuses committed by Boko Haram and other jihadi movements, the prospect of foreign intervention raises serious concerns.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widen. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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