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 Booth wanted Malone to expand his rotation, especially in 2024, when Denver was defending its title. Sam Amick, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 The brand has also been expanding its handbags offer, and the executive said that the Avenue, Everywhere and Boulevard bags have been very successful. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025 That’s the plan at the 49ers’ facility where workers are tearing out the lone artificial surface field in preparation of expanding the team’s grass practice fields. Matt Barrows, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 The program, which got its start in Florida, eventually expanded to Alabama, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for expand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expand
Verb
  • Prime Video is developing Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, based on the Crane-Iron Pentalogy book series by Wang Dulu.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Samsung Wireless Fast Charge: Samsung developed a Proprietary Power Delivery Extension (PPDE) standard in the early days of Qi to offer higher than 5-watt wireless charging.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The European Union has unveiled an $840 billion plan to increase its defense spending, and the German parliament just passed historic constitutional amendments to take on unprecedented levels of debt to facilitate a massive defense investment.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The price of buying a foreign car could increase by anywhere between $5,000 to $15,000, Goldman Sachs estimates.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Ray and his friend were sentenced to 10 days of pre-trial detention, which was previously extended to April 24.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In rare cases, legislative changes could extend the window.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The improved coding and long-context capabilities could accelerate software development cycles, enabling developers to tackle more complex problems, analyze legacy code more effectively, or generate code documentation and tests more efficiently.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • This process can accelerate movement toward extreme issue-position groups and identities.
    Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Invest In Enrichment: Use reliable external sources to supplement your data, helping improve segmentation and message relevance.
    Ryan Ferrier, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The main question posed at the meeting was whether schools could supplement the new curriculum with other platforms.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Attention also could be paid to dismantling foreign anticompetitive market distortions, in order to augment the benefits achieved through the Task Force.
    Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The rubber match has augmented stakes in a Tournament field with increasing parity.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Patterson is set to enter the transfer portal when the second cycle opens on Wednesday.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The evolution of Electric Park The original Electric Park opened north of the Heim Brewery at Montgall and Nicholson avenues in the East Bottoms.
    Jeremy Drouin, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The company’s revenue rose 73% to 208 million ringgit in 2024 from the previous year, with nearly half coming from Singapore.
    Jonathan Burgos, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • This solid version is similarly lush, infusing a base of rose wax with the signature floral bouquet—think lily, iris, peony, and tons of slightly spice rose—along with vanilla and Tonka bean.
    Deanna Pai, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expand. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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