enlarge

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb enlarge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enlarge are augment, increase, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

In what contexts can augment take the place of enlarge?

Although the words augment and enlarge have much in common, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When might increase be a better fit than enlarge?

The words increase and enlarge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

his waistline increased with age
increased her landholdings

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to enlarge?

While in some cases nearly identical to enlarge, multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

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 enlarge In some species, their hearts are enlarged to pump more blood, or their digestive tracts grow and then shrink. Elizabeth Landau, Quanta Magazine, 19 May 2025 The camera then shows Sherman’s Chelsea, sporting an exaggerated accent and enlarged false teeth. Jack Dunn, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025 Last year, a bill that would have allocated funds for enlarging the dam while prohibiting state laws from obstructing the project died in the House. Calmatters, Mercury News, 13 May 2025 This can then enlarge the wound and attract more flies to lay eggs. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlarge
Verb
  • Mahan won his first term as mayor in 2022 with 51.3% of the vote after residents pushed to move the mayoral election to align with the presidential one to increase voter turnout.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2025
  • Whether that caution slows adoption or increases security maturity remains to be seen, but the message is unambiguous: the era of unchecked AI optimism in federal cybersecurity is over.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Now in its fourth year, Bleak Week is expanding across the country — and, via the Prince Charles Cinema, across the pond to London — to hold screenings at 11 venues in eight cities.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 May 2025
  • Blockchain, once synonymous with cryptocurrency, is expanding into areas like secure transactions and transparent supply chains.
    Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Then, in March, an appeals court acquitted Lee, freeing him to campaign in the snap election.
    Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
  • He was freed on parole from the Terre Haute, Indiana, federal penitentiary on Nov. 30, 1948, after serving 32 months of his five-year prison sentence.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Keeler isn’t the first Notre Dame graduate to rise in the Navy ranks.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
  • This could further exacerbate the challenges facing first-time homebuyers in the state, who are struggling to get on the property ladder due to historically high mortgage rates, rising prices, and growing housing costs.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • With attacks accelerating in pace and intensity, organizations cannot afford slow, laborious reporting structures.
    Travis Runty, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Prior roles at Roku, Amazon, and Google reflect a consistent track record of driving platform growth, accelerating advertiser adoption, and shaping go-to-market strategies across streaming, e-commerce, and digital advertising.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • How did One Piece season 1 end? Season 1 of Netflix's One Piece adaptation ended with Luffy and the Straw Hat gang liberating Nami's hometown of Coco Village from Arlong (McKinley Belcher III), the spiky-nosed fish-man with hopes of turning the village into a fish-men empire.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 30 May 2025
  • The frontline in Ukraine has not moved in a significant way since Ukrainian forces liberated the southern city of Kherson in November 2023.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Sinusitis, which means inflammation of the sinuses, can result in pain, tenderness or even swelling in or around different parts of your face and head such as your eyes, ears, cheeks, forehead, mouth, teeth, throat and head in general as well.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Untold pieces of protest art also were created in public spaces across the U.S. – from murals honoring Floyd, to calls for justice and support for the Black Lives Matter movement, which swelled in the wake of Floyd's death.
    Deena Zaru, ABC News, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • Sperling initially designs his work in black and white, later adding color to augment his vision.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • That motor augments the rider's pedaling power up to a top speed of 25 km/h (16 mph), automatically triggered by a torque sensor on the bike's crankset.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enlarge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlarge. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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