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
In 2024, the city of San Diego allocated $750,000 to draft a plan to widen the park sidewalk.
—
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Authorities have increased security around houses of worship amid the war in Iran and widening military conflict across the Middle East.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
The exchange highlights widening tensions at City Hall as members debate whether to repair the nearly 50-year-old building or to relocate city government.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
The closures are part of a project to widen I-84 in Caldwell that began in 2023.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for widen
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Authorities have increased security around houses of worship amid the war in Iran and widening military conflict across the Middle East.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
The exchange highlights widening tensions at City Hall as members debate whether to repair the nearly 50-year-old building or to relocate city government.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
The closures are part of a project to widen I-84 in Caldwell that began in 2023.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for widen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widen
Verb
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Attacks have broadened to target Iran’s banking and financial infrastructure, a move that could spur protests and further instability in the country.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
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The slate continues to broaden from there.—
Faye Bradley,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Other bank expansions in Charlotte Several other banks have been expanding in the Charlotte region, too.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
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Production plans call for an initial deployment of dozens of units this year, scaling to thousands annually as manufacturing capacity expands.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If so, that would intensify the competition between him and last year's portal addition Jordan Shaw, as the duo aims to replace Tyreek Chappell after his eligibility expires.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
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The sun, wind, noise, boat vibration and motion can intensify the effects of alcohol and drugs which can quickly impair coordination, judgment and reaction time.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widen. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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