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
Some of the highway-widening STIP projects were in Northern and Central California.
—
Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026
The recognition of the breakaway church gave a religious dimension to the widening breach between Ukraine and Russia, with Russian political and religious leaders even blaming the United States for having a role in it.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
The warning follows a series of escalating strikes tied to the widening conflict between Iran and Israel that has increasingly drawn in neighboring countries and critical energy infrastructure.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
Authorities have increased security around houses of worship amid the war in Iran and widening military conflict across the Middle East.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
The exchange highlights widening tensions at City Hall as members debate whether to repair the nearly 50-year-old building or to relocate city government.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
The outages are part of a widening crackdown on free speech since President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in 2022, most recently including a slowing of the Telegram messaging service, which is widely used for the spread of news and everyday information.
—David Hickey, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
Here’s what to know about the strait and the widening Iran war.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
The city forced only the condo developer to pay for widening the street.
—M. Nolan Gray, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026
The recognition of the breakaway church gave a religious dimension to the widening breach between Ukraine and Russia, with Russian political and religious leaders even blaming the United States for having a role in it.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
The warning follows a series of escalating strikes tied to the widening conflict between Iran and Israel that has increasingly drawn in neighboring countries and critical energy infrastructure.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
Authorities have increased security around houses of worship amid the war in Iran and widening military conflict across the Middle East.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
The exchange highlights widening tensions at City Hall as members debate whether to repair the nearly 50-year-old building or to relocate city government.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
The outages are part of a widening crackdown on free speech since President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in 2022, most recently including a slowing of the Telegram messaging service, which is widely used for the spread of news and everyday information.
—David Hickey, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
Here’s what to know about the strait and the widening Iran war.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
The city forced only the condo developer to pay for widening the street.
—M. Nolan Gray, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widening
Verb
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This would seem to challenge the notion that AI usurping human skills will democratize them—for instance, by broadening who is able to contribute meaningfully to math’s advancement.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
16 Mar. 2026
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The earnings momentum broadening out beyond the tech sector comes at a time when investors are seeking ways to limit risk amid the second military conflict in the Middle East in under a year and a shock to the oil markets that is unprecedented.—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In practice, that means the Commission is wary of big mergers, unless they are paired with social taxes — protecting jobs, expanding network coverage in poorer areas and ensuring the Black majority benefits.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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OpenAI has spent the last few years expanding its tools into standalone products.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Israeli military killed Iran’s intelligence minister, the latest senior Iranian figure to be assassinated in Israel’s intensifying campaign to destabilize the Islamic Republic.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Competition in live sports is intensifying, however.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Widening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widening. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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