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
Pathways around the grounds have also been widened to be more accessible.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
The Commerce Department said Thursday that the US’ trade deficit widened more than analysts expected in December.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
The judges asked a contestant to get the gap between her teeth closed—but widened the gap in another model’s teeth.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
Revenue fell sharply and losses widened, reflecting a pullback from production-facing activities following several years of restructuring and shifting scale ambitions.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 12 Feb. 2026
His transition into the new role has widened his horizon to explore other areas of human development that are fundamental to business growth but often ignored.
—Jason Phillips, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
In 2024, the gap between average and median income was 45%, a disparity that has widened consistently for decades.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Yet a gap of just four points separates Chelsea in third and Spurs in fifth, widened from the one point that stood between the pair in the hours before Sunday’s kick-off.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
As the search continued without success, investigators widened their efforts to include a pond at nearby Mayfield Park, close to Smith's residence.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
The Commerce Department said Thursday that the US’ trade deficit widened more than analysts expected in December.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
The judges asked a contestant to get the gap between her teeth closed—but widened the gap in another model’s teeth.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
Revenue fell sharply and losses widened, reflecting a pullback from production-facing activities following several years of restructuring and shifting scale ambitions.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 12 Feb. 2026
His transition into the new role has widened his horizon to explore other areas of human development that are fundamental to business growth but often ignored.
—Jason Phillips, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
In 2024, the gap between average and median income was 45%, a disparity that has widened consistently for decades.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Yet a gap of just four points separates Chelsea in third and Spurs in fifth, widened from the one point that stood between the pair in the hours before Sunday’s kick-off.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
As the search continued without success, investigators widened their efforts to include a pond at nearby Mayfield Park, close to Smith's residence.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widened
Verb
-
Then a 2024 court victory by Kalshi broadened the types of contracts that prediction markets could offer, leading platforms to move beyond offering bets on weather and awards show outcomes, and into fields like elections and sports.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The exchange also broadened its asset offerings to include digital tokens that are often overlooked by larger platforms, responding directly to user demand.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Initially created to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, the board has since expanded to address conflicts worldwide.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In 1998, the firm expanded into furniture with Mario Bellini’s revolutionary Bellini chair, which was awarded the prestigious Compasso d’Oro design award in 2001.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But while the model shifted toward authenticity, the pressure intensified.—
Mina Haque,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Since late January, the harsh cold has has not only intensified demand for home heating oil but also natural gas and electricity.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Widened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widened. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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