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
The $1 billion undertaking aims to streamline traffic and reduce reliance on local streets by rebuilding roads, widening lanes and making new flyover ramps.
—
Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
The split is widening across incomes.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2026
Some market analysts believe a share sale could risk widening mortgage spreads and raising mortgage rates – an outcome Bessent has repeatedly emphasized would not be acceptable to the administration.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Now the inquiry into Mountbatten-Windsor seems to be widening.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for widen
Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
The split is widening across incomes.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2026
Some market analysts believe a share sale could risk widening mortgage spreads and raising mortgage rates – an outcome Bessent has repeatedly emphasized would not be acceptable to the administration.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Now the inquiry into Mountbatten-Windsor seems to be widening.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for widen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widen
Verb
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Every major art-world institution participated in the Bicentennial, with most producing sweeping exhibitions of varying quality that aimed to broaden their audiences.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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The growing use of facial recognition has broadened concerns about accuracy and bias.—
Vijayan Asari,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Publix is set to open five new stores by early July, expanding its footprint in Florida and Kentucky as the grocery chain continues steady growth across the Southeast.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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As part of the deal announced Monday, Amazon will work with Corning on a new program to expand a fiber-optic technician training program at Catawba Valley Community College based in Hickory.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Verb
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As climate pressures intensify, biodiversity shrinks and consumers demand more transparency, the push to preserve older grain varieties and livestock breeds is reshaping what shows up in grocery aisles and on restaurant menus.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
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Climate models predict a continued, long-term decline of snowpack as the effects of climate change intensify.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widen. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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