enlarge

verb

en·large in-ˈlärj

en-

enlarged; enlarging

Synonyms of enlarge next

transitive verb

: to make larger : extend

enlarged the family fortune with new investments

: to give greater scope to : expand

education may enlarge one's view of the world

: to set free

enlarge a captive

intransitive verb

: to grow larger

: to speak or write at length : elaborate

let me enlarge upon that point

enlargeable

in-ˈlär-jə-bəl

en-

adjective

enlarger noun

Choose the Right Synonym for enlarge

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater.

increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity

his waistline increased with age

; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

increased her landholdings

enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Example Sentences

We had the photograph enlarged. as the number of people with cell phones enlarges, more transmission towers will have to be built

Recent Examples on the Web The renovation features a number of subtle but effective design moves that help to enlarge it spatially while accommodating the client's lifestyle habits. —

Kimberley Mok, Treehugger, 17 Mar. 2023 Eventually additional characters show up just to enlarge the body count. —

Dennis Harvey, Variety, 16 Feb. 2023 In particular, among the manufacturers, Boeing will hope to enlarge its presence in India’s single-aisle jet market. —

Niharika Sharma, Quartz, 15 Feb. 2023 The production and sale of foie gras, produced by force-feeding ducks and geese to enlarge their livers, is banned in California. —

Jess Lander, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Feb. 2023 With the help of contact lenses to enlarge her pupils and forced perspectives, Fuhrman effortlessly defies age and for the most part successfully transforms back into Esther. —

Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2022 At the time, Welsh had been diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, which causes one's kidneys to enlarge and lose function over time, according to Mayo Clinic. —

Jason Hahn, Peoplemag, 8 Feb. 2023 Unlike iOS and Android, where Microsoft has given up on being a competitor and is now focused on providing apps and services, Microsoft is trying to enlarge and maintain its foothold in ChromeOS while simultaneously trying to defeat it. —

Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2023 The project will allow the museum, New Jersey’s largest, to expand its galleries, renovate its education center, expand a restaurant, enlarge its gift shop and redesign its outdoor sculpture garden. —

Miranda S. Spivack, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enlarge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.