as in to extend
to make longer I had to lengthen the handle of the paint roller in order to reach the top of the wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lengthen contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lengthen are extend, 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 might prolong be a better fit than lengthen?

While the synonyms prolong and lengthen are close in meaning, prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

How are the words protract and prolong related as synonyms of lengthen?

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 lengthen The par-4 first hole was lengthened by 100 yards to 481 yards from the championship tees. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025 Wyman herself was offered the option to undergo limb lengthening as a child by her father, but ultimately did not pursue it. Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 Dislocated joints have been repaired, tendons have been lengthened. Scott Craven, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025 With shorter, warmer winters in recent years, the season when ticks bite is lengthening. Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthen
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
  • Washington blames Hamas for prolonging the war and obstructing humanitarian aid.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • To prolong your stay in this natural wonderland, look to organizations such as United Planet and Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, which also offers opportunities to work on conservation projects or in social services.
    Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 25 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
  • In June, the average job search stretched to 23 weeks, or nearly six months.
    Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • The story of Detroit-style pizza stretches back to the city’s automotive roots.
    Lyndsay C. Green, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • These were more like slides, with just one simple strap down the front to elongate the foot, and a nice buckle to finish.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 11 July 2025
  • The last two years have served as an elongated — and somewhat understated — goodbye to basketball for Quigley.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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