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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 widen
The official exchange rate stood at 105 bolívars per U.S. dollar in May, while the parallel market rate surged to 139, widening the gap and inviting new speculative pressure.
—
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Ronaldson said if the county widened 143rd Street to three lanes, a similar amount of land would have to be taken.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
What’s scary for the Oilers and the rest of the league is how much the Panthers widened the gap this second go-round.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 18 June 2025
The final phase of the project will widen Highway 46 on the way to Kern County.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for widen
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Ronaldson said if the county widened 143rd Street to three lanes, a similar amount of land would have to be taken.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
What’s scary for the Oilers and the rest of the league is how much the Panthers widened the gap this second go-round.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 18 June 2025
The final phase of the project will widen Highway 46 on the way to Kern County.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for widen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widen
Verb
-
With a broadening customer base clamoring for Nvidia’s latest AI accelerators and competitors still distant, bulls are betting the chipmaker’s shares have plenty of room to run.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
-
By the June meeting, their desire became to broaden the scope and make a local effort a more encompassing one across the state.—
Alan Kozeluh,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Most significantly, 62% say their responsibilities have expanded significantly beyond their core reporting roles, with 37% reporting layoffs or buyouts at their organizations in the past year.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Hackers over the years have expanded their target list to include cities and municipalities, hospitals, hotels and casinos, as reported by CBS News' 60 Minutes.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
Getty Images Cybercriminals have intensified their efforts to steal and sell online passwords, experts warn.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
-
Black women are often conditioned to prioritize others’ needs over their own, and this tendency may intensify during the summertime demands.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widen. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share