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
The widening gap followed a private equity spending spree in 2021, as firms rushed to deploy unspent funds, with activity also boosted by ultra-low interest rates.
—
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Your Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke Decreases Foods rich in dietary nitrates, like beets, help increase blood flow by widening and relaxing blood vessels.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2025
The quartet of projects represents a widening scope for the Taipei company, which has steadily built credentials through festival selections, streaming deals and local box office success since 2017.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Gientke told the Statesman in a phone interview that the Urban Renewal Agency funds for his project in downtown Caldwell would be disbursed annually over the next 15 years, and used to improve public safety around the lot by redoing and widening sidewalks, and adding light posts.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2025
The journalist Beth Macy, who in her previous books chronicled the widening fissures in American society by examining the opioid crisis and the aftereffects of globalization, grew up there.
—Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
The ruling marks the latest development in a widening legal dispute over whether the administration can use a lapse in appropriations to permanently downsize federal agencies.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The plaintiffs said widening I-94 benefits commuters from the suburbs over Black and brown residents living near the interstate, who may not own a car but will be hurt by more pollution and other environmental hazards brought by the project.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025
But vaccinations increased only half as much in the Southwest district — up 16% year-over-year — contributing to widening disparities in coverage.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Your Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke Decreases Foods rich in dietary nitrates, like beets, help increase blood flow by widening and relaxing blood vessels.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2025
The quartet of projects represents a widening scope for the Taipei company, which has steadily built credentials through festival selections, streaming deals and local box office success since 2017.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Gientke told the Statesman in a phone interview that the Urban Renewal Agency funds for his project in downtown Caldwell would be disbursed annually over the next 15 years, and used to improve public safety around the lot by redoing and widening sidewalks, and adding light posts.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2025
The journalist Beth Macy, who in her previous books chronicled the widening fissures in American society by examining the opioid crisis and the aftereffects of globalization, grew up there.
—Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
The ruling marks the latest development in a widening legal dispute over whether the administration can use a lapse in appropriations to permanently downsize federal agencies.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The plaintiffs said widening I-94 benefits commuters from the suburbs over Black and brown residents living near the interstate, who may not own a car but will be hurt by more pollution and other environmental hazards brought by the project.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025
But vaccinations increased only half as much in the Southwest district — up 16% year-over-year — contributing to widening disparities in coverage.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widening
Verb
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The hurricane entered western Cuba as a Category 3, but the island’s mountains ripped up the eye, weakening but also broadening the storm.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
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Though viewed as a largely symbolic vote given its low chance of passage, the resolution’s bipartisan support belies a growing and broadening dissatisfaction with the administration’s trade regime.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2025, Ohtani is likely to earn another MVP award, adding to his ever-expanding trophy cabinet.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Environmental advocates question the need for expanding fossil fuel resources a time when greenhouse gases from those fuels are worsening climate change.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Their approach places them within immediate operational range for amphibious or precision strike missions, intensifying pressure on Caracas as regional tensions climb.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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But, increasingly, events that should appall and unite America against violence instead fuel an intensifying partisanship.—
John Archibald,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Widening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widening. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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