extend

verb

ik-ˈstend How to pronounce extend (audio)
Definition of extendnext
1
as in to lengthen
to make longer our guests from out of town extended their visit by a week

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to offer
to put before another for acceptance or consideration the couple extended an invitation to join them for a get-together at their house after the concert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to expand
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area you can extend that chaise longue so that it lies completely flat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to lead
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction our backyard extends all the way to that brook

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number embarked on a series of wars intended to extend his empire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to dilute
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances the company extends its ice cream with thickeners and other additives

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb extend contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of extend are lengthen, prolong, and protract. While all these words mean "to draw out or add to so as to increase in length," extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range.

extend a vacation
extend welfare services
lengthen a skirt
lengthen the workweek

When would prolong be a good substitute for extend?

The words prolong and extend can be used in similar contexts, but prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

How do protract and prolong relate to one another, in the sense of extend?

Protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.

protracted litigation

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 extend Next up for the Heat are two must-win games to extend its season. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025 The toll of the epidemic extended far beyond individual loss. —Jonathan Ellen, National Review, 13 Apr. 2025 Blessed with a smart sense of dynamics — musical, theatrical, emotional — that extends kind of across the board? —Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2025 Work starts at Enterprise Street, north of Summit Street, and extends to Page Avenue. —Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extend
  1. lengthen
  2. offer
  3. expand
  4. lead
  5. increase
  6. dilute
  7. prolong
  8. give
Verb
  • The bright yellow tube is designed to lengthen and lift, while featuring an oversized grip and shortened wand for comfy, full-control application.
    — Dahvi Shira, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Yes or No that simply adds a result, which will lengthen the odds.
    — Sam Tighe, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of lengthen
Verb
  • All offers end April 30 (each can only be used once and offers do not stack).
    — Mike Snider, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Brentford offered lots of options for this exercise and Keane Lewis-Potter solved some problems at left-back.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of offer
Verb
  • 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 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
Definition of expand
Verb
  • The Miami Heat enters an important game in Chicago with its leading trio will be available for the first time in nearly two weeks..
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Last year, the Nationals stole a ton of bases in the spring, and then led the league with 223 steals in the regular season.
    — Eno Sarris, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of lead
Verb
  • This initiative is driven by the goal of establishing a closed-loop raw material cycle and acknowledging the increasing significance of recycled materials in future battery production.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of increase
Verb
  • To take apple cider vinegar before bed, dilute it in water and drink the mixture 2-3 hours before bed to prevent acid reflux.
    — Johna Burdeos, Health, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Sometimes, the healthiest choice is saying no — to overcommitment, to untrustworthy allies, to mission creep that dilutes your impact, or to compromises that undermine your values.
    — Jay Ruderman, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of dilute
Verb
  • These developments have unjustifiably prolonged this investigation and raise questions about the actual purpose of the proceeding.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In fact, James has even be able to slowly transition his game into being more perimeter-based, as to offset any loss in athletic prowess, further prolonging his effectiveness.
    — Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of prolong
Verb
  • This gives you benefits like complimentary upgrades and early check-in (both subject to availability), and 60% bonus earnings on qualifying stays and eligible charges at IHG Hotels and Resorts.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
  • But state lawmakers have been looking for ways to give citizens and communities more of a voice in the decisions, and are focusing efforts this spring on Senate Bill 78.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of give

Browse Nearby Words

extemporizing
extend
extended
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extend. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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