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.
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Recent Examples of widened
The dispute eventually widened beyond just money.
—
Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
The two-lane bridge, which is six miles west of Galt, will be widened to accommodate two bike lanes, Robinson said.
—Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Investigators widened their search.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
In occupations most exposed to AI substitution, the unemployment rate gap between entry-level workers (those under 30) and experienced workers (ages 31–50) has widened sharply relative to pre-pandemic averages.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
The town lost its one traffic light when Okeechobee Road was widened in the late 1970s.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Hampered by their own mistakes, the Bruins let Texas stay in the game until scores by Betts, Rice and Jaquez widened the gap to 10 at the start of the fourth quarter.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
That cash has widened the recruiting pipeline to Europe and other points overseas.
—Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
The deepening energy crisis triggered by the US-Israel war with Iran has thrust energy security back onto the political stage in European countries — and widened fault lines along with it.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
The two-lane bridge, which is six miles west of Galt, will be widened to accommodate two bike lanes, Robinson said.
—Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Investigators widened their search.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
In occupations most exposed to AI substitution, the unemployment rate gap between entry-level workers (those under 30) and experienced workers (ages 31–50) has widened sharply relative to pre-pandemic averages.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
The town lost its one traffic light when Okeechobee Road was widened in the late 1970s.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Hampered by their own mistakes, the Bruins let Texas stay in the game until scores by Betts, Rice and Jaquez widened the gap to 10 at the start of the fourth quarter.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
That cash has widened the recruiting pipeline to Europe and other points overseas.
—Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
The deepening energy crisis triggered by the US-Israel war with Iran has thrust energy security back onto the political stage in European countries — and widened fault lines along with it.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widened
Verb
-
Illinois broadened eligibility in 2026, and Florida now requires certain state group plans to cover preservation for iatrogenic infertility.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
But critics also pointed to a 2024 amendment with the former GOP chairman of the House Intelligence Committee that broadened the definition of electronic communications service providers.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Liability protections for officers and directors were also expanded.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Under the leadership of former CEOs, including the late Thomas Storrs and Hugh McColl, Gentry was part of a team that expanded the bank far beyond North Carolina’s border.—
Chase Jordan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Their experience is raw material, and, for crew members, the passion and memories attached to this raw material are intensified by relations of class and power.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The federal government intensified efforts to expand family detention indefinitely by motioning to terminate a cornerstone policy ensuring the protection of immigrant children in federal custody.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Widened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widened. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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