as in broadened
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 widened
The guard’s eyes widened when presented with the concept that the Bulls technically still had a shot at making the playoffs, at least for another game.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
The detail has some proponents of women’s sports concerned it could be widened to use to justify reducing scholarships, or programs.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Kensington Road Kensington Road will be widened between Providence Road and Connels Point Avenue to improve eastern and western mobility.
—March 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
The wealth gap between the top 1% and bottom 50% has widened since ChatGPT launched.
—Alex Stephany, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
That gap has widened in recent years.
—Stephen Martin, Oklahoma Watch, 24 Mar. 2026
Filaret had a more limited role in recent years as the cultural and religious divide between Ukraine and Russia widened into full-scale warfare.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
As July bled into August, the footprint of the fire widened with each passing day — 28,000 to 55,000 to 105,000 acres — while its containment progressively shrank from 26 percent to 13 percent to 4 percent.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
But the enormous influx of money into college basketball has noticeably widened the gap between power conferences and mid-majors.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
The detail has some proponents of women’s sports concerned it could be widened to use to justify reducing scholarships, or programs.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Kensington Road Kensington Road will be widened between Providence Road and Connels Point Avenue to improve eastern and western mobility.
—March 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
The wealth gap between the top 1% and bottom 50% has widened since ChatGPT launched.
—Alex Stephany, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
That gap has widened in recent years.
—Stephen Martin, Oklahoma Watch, 24 Mar. 2026
Filaret had a more limited role in recent years as the cultural and religious divide between Ukraine and Russia widened into full-scale warfare.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
As July bled into August, the footprint of the fire widened with each passing day — 28,000 to 55,000 to 105,000 acres — while its containment progressively shrank from 26 percent to 13 percent to 4 percent.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
But the enormous influx of money into college basketball has noticeably widened the gap between power conferences and mid-majors.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widened
Verb
-
Yet our pickiest eater broadened his horizons on the trip.—
Matt Bomer,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Back in 2017, as FIU expanded, many students were crossing Southwest Eighth Street to get to and from campus.—
Johane Saintil,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The meaning of wellness travel has expanded to include everything from somatic meditation to hormone replacement therapy and grief counseling.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Among those whose commitment to Israel had intensified after October 7th, numerous sources told me, was Olitzky, Beth El’s senior rabbi.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Israel has intensified its attacks across Lebanon, mostly in the South, where Israeli ground troops are moving northward to try to oust Hezbollah militants.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Widened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widened. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
