as in broadening
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 widening
That contest has not ended, but model differentiation is narrowing while infrastructure scarcity is widening.
—
Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
The complex is laid out in three levels, from 50 feet below ground to 75 feet, with narrow and low tunnels widening out into larger communal rooms.
—Pavlo Fedykovych, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
Since then, however, the eligibility pool has grown as NASA's broader astronaut cadre has gained more experience, widening the possibilities leading up to the Artemis 3 crew selection.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 12 June 2026
Last year, in the middle of its purchasing endeavors in the region, Apple noted its deep and widening ties to the South Bay.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
The result has been a widening economic rift between the old and the young, with the net worth of older households rising and the wealth of younger households falling.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Many are critical of Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, citing concerns over rising religious polarization, widening inequality and mounting economic pressures.
—ABC News, 5 June 2026
Does this budget do enough to close widening health and wealth disparities in underserved communities?
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Meanwhile, at least 11 international activists traveling overland to challenge Israel’s Gaza blockade are being held in Libya on immigration charges, highlighting the widening fallout of the enclave’s isolation.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
The complex is laid out in three levels, from 50 feet below ground to 75 feet, with narrow and low tunnels widening out into larger communal rooms.
—Pavlo Fedykovych, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
Since then, however, the eligibility pool has grown as NASA's broader astronaut cadre has gained more experience, widening the possibilities leading up to the Artemis 3 crew selection.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 12 June 2026
Last year, in the middle of its purchasing endeavors in the region, Apple noted its deep and widening ties to the South Bay.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
The result has been a widening economic rift between the old and the young, with the net worth of older households rising and the wealth of younger households falling.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Many are critical of Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, citing concerns over rising religious polarization, widening inequality and mounting economic pressures.
—ABC News, 5 June 2026
Does this budget do enough to close widening health and wealth disparities in underserved communities?
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Meanwhile, at least 11 international activists traveling overland to challenge Israel’s Gaza blockade are being held in Libya on immigration charges, highlighting the widening fallout of the enclave’s isolation.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widening
Verb
-
The prospect of broadening its fragrance offering was thought to be one of the driving factors behind the merger talks with Puig, which came to an end last month.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
-
The proposal would require the BLM to apply land-health standards to grazing allotments, mainly broadening the scope to entire watersheds rather than the landscape health of individual allotments.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
According to Academy rules, the number of nominees in each category is determined by the volume of submissions, with the field expanding to a sixth lead or supporting nominee only once entries cross the 80-submission threshold.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
Educational institutions, workforce agencies, employers, libraries, and community organizations each play an important role in expanding access to these capabilities.—
Michael Edmondson,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
And those farmers are horribly disillusioned by this intensifying deflation and depression that spreads after 1873.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
-
The United States has imposed travel bans on more than 100 Nicaraguan officials and relatives, intensifying pressure on President Daniel Ortega and his co-president wife, Rosario Murillo, over a mounting record of human rights abuses.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Widening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widening. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
