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
Lipa chose a long, close-fitting silhouette with bare shoulders, a high jeweled neckline and a skirt cut narrowly through the hips before widening below the knee.
—
Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 20 June 2026
Supporters say the tax is necessary to address widening wealth inequality and argue California’s economy is strong enough to retain most of its 216 billionaires.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2026
America is preparing the next generation for a future defined by chronic disease, mental health challenges and widening health inequities.
—Jordan Schriver, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
The rust then expands, much like ice widening a crack in a sidewalk.
—Alex Krasnok, The Conversation, 19 June 2026
The second is one of widening discontent in Moscow’s population and the political instability that can bring.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
The Israeli firm sees the initial operators focusing on personal mobility in airspace where the craft can be flown legally, with the horizon eventually widening to other missions.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 18 June 2026
That’s the gap widening when no one's looking.
—Matt Hillary, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Shares of Micron have surged 258% in the year to date, fueled by a memory supply crunch worsened by widening AI adoption.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 20 June 2026
Supporters say the tax is necessary to address widening wealth inequality and argue California’s economy is strong enough to retain most of its 216 billionaires.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2026
America is preparing the next generation for a future defined by chronic disease, mental health challenges and widening health inequities.
—Jordan Schriver, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
The rust then expands, much like ice widening a crack in a sidewalk.
—Alex Krasnok, The Conversation, 19 June 2026
The second is one of widening discontent in Moscow’s population and the political instability that can bring.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
The Israeli firm sees the initial operators focusing on personal mobility in airspace where the craft can be flown legally, with the horizon eventually widening to other missions.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 18 June 2026
That’s the gap widening when no one's looking.
—Matt Hillary, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Shares of Micron have surged 258% in the year to date, fueled by a memory supply crunch worsened by widening AI adoption.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widening
Verb
-
The distribution partnership is part of the global streamer’s focus on broadening its content offerings and strengthening engagement via an aggregation strategy not unlike traditional pay TV.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
-
Now that momentum appears to be broadening beyond AI.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Layne’s group has pushed county leaders to fund a continuous drug addiction treatment program, expanding access for those who need it both during and after incarceration.—
Gavin J. Quinton,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Episode 2 continues that methodology, pairing globally influential artists with scientific inquiry, while expanding the scope of both the artistry and the research.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, the pace of technological change is accelerating, and global competition is intensifying.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
The upward pressure is intensifying this week as derivatives and other kinds of secondary financial instruments related to SpaceX go live.—
Tobias Burns,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Widening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widening. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
