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.
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Recent Examples of widening
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
The $1 billion undertaking aims to streamline traffic and reduce reliance on local streets by rebuilding roads, widening lanes and making new flyover ramps.
—Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
The company wanted to sharpen its dealmaking skills and start widening its aperture beyond the early bets where Lilly liked to focus.
—Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 3 June 2026
Some market analysts believe a share sale could risk widening mortgage spreads and raising mortgage rates – an outcome Bessent has repeatedly emphasized would not be acceptable to the administration.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
The Growing Disconnect Between Workers And Employers There’s a widening gap between how quickly employees are building their AI skills and how slowly many organizations are updating their own systems and support structures.
—Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The project also includes widening portions of the right of way to a minimum of 20 feet at that location.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
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
The $1 billion undertaking aims to streamline traffic and reduce reliance on local streets by rebuilding roads, widening lanes and making new flyover ramps.
—Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
The company wanted to sharpen its dealmaking skills and start widening its aperture beyond the early bets where Lilly liked to focus.
—Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 3 June 2026
Some market analysts believe a share sale could risk widening mortgage spreads and raising mortgage rates – an outcome Bessent has repeatedly emphasized would not be acceptable to the administration.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
The Growing Disconnect Between Workers And Employers There’s a widening gap between how quickly employees are building their AI skills and how slowly many organizations are updating their own systems and support structures.
—Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The project also includes widening portions of the right of way to a minimum of 20 feet at that location.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widening
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
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And those farmers are horribly disillusioned by this intensifying deflation and depression that spreads after 1873.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
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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 13 Jun. 2026.
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