1
as in to develop
to express more fully and in greater detail an article on the First Ladies that the author later expanded into a book

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in to extend
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area a spare leaf for those times when we have to expand the dining table to accommodate extra guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb expand differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of expand are amplify, dilate, distend, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When can amplify be used instead of expand?

The meanings of amplify and expand largely overlap; however, amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When might dilate be a better fit than expand?

Although the words dilate and expand have much in common, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

When is distend a more appropriate choice than expand?

The words distend and expand can be used in similar contexts, but distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When is it sensible to use inflate instead of expand?

In some situations, the words inflate and expand are roughly equivalent. However, inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

In what contexts can swell take the place of expand?

While the synonyms swell and expand are close in meaning, swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

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 expand By doing that, the company was able to expand its operations and add to its Michigan workforce. Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 26 July 2025 As of 2025, fiber internet is available to approximately 88.1 million U.S. households (56.5%), but access is expanding rapidly. Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 26 July 2025 The plan laid out in Tuesday’s staff report proposed a ballot measure that would expand protections for thousands of acres of open space across Irvine. Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 26 July 2025 Trading Cease for a package of prospects and then using some or all of them, plus possibly some of their own prospects, to acquire Alcántara would help expand the organization's contention window. Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for expand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expand
Verb
  • Self-awareness is an incredibly important skill to develop to get ahead of the psychological impact of victory.
    Brook Choulet, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • By investing in pedestrian safety, cities can develop more livable, and economically viable communities for future generations.
    Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Decades of research and studies in agriculture have increased production across all crops in the U.S., said James, and cannabis can adopt those same technologies.
    Julie Weed, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • The top reason students opt not to pursue higher education is cost, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board states, though having a degree can drastically increase earnings.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • This year, teams will play 44 regular season games each, and the Finals have been extended from a five-game series to a seven-game series.
    Becky Sullivan, NPR, 19 July 2025
  • The left-wing conversion extended the Bulls’ lead to 33-14 at the seven-minute mark in the second.
    Andy Theobald, Kansas City Star, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • Starvation Much of Gaza has been reduced to a wasteland during more than 21 months of war and there are fears of accelerating starvation.
    Nidal al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 20 July 2025
  • Our graduates will now re-enter the market faster, prepared to hit the ground running and accelerate their careers.
    Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • The currently-frozen funds are supposed to supplement school initiatives for low-income families, teacher recruitment, English language learning and academic enrichment.
    Abigail Pender, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2025
  • The key has been the gradual introduction of a new generation around the experienced core to supplement their talents with pace and vivacity.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • The Royals must win games and remain in the playoff mix in order to keep their current roster together — and perhaps even augment it.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
  • This is among the greatest strengths of AI—augmenting human capabilities.
    Hank Boughner, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • To kick off the day after doors opened at 12:30, local opening acts Laamar and Raffaella, with her delightful poppy earworms, commanded sizable and particularly engaged audiences.
    Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 20 July 2025
  • But the opponent was too much to handle, as Team Collier opened a 17-point lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.
    Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • Sales rose 7% in the second quarter compared with Q2 2024 and 12% in 2025’s first half.
    Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • So a heatwave there in early 2024 that scientists say was made 4 degrees Celsius hotter by climate change saw global cocoa prices rise by a massive 280% in April that year.
    Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 22 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expand. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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