expansive
adjective
ex·pan·sive
ik-ˈspan(t)-siv 
1
: having a capacity or a tendency to expand
2
: causing or tending to cause expansion
3
a
: characterized by high spirits, generosity, or readiness to talk : open
They grew expansive after dinner.
b
: marked by or indicative of exaggerated euphoria and delusions of self-importance
an expansive patient
4
5
: characterized by richness, abundance, or magnificence
expansive living
expansive taste
expansively
adverb
expansiveness
noun
Examples of expansive in a Sentence
He was unusually expansive at the press conference.
She was in an expansive mood.
The law was expansive in its scope.
a more expansive treatment of the topic
the hotel's expansive dining room
The house has expansive views of the valley.
Recent Examples on the Web
About 800 entities have task force pacts, granting the most expansive authority.
—
David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
White-sand shores include those at nearby Spring Bay, offering clear waters for snorkeling, an expansive lawn, picnic tables, and a natural swimming pool created by a circle of boulders.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2026
An outdoor shower and expansive upper deck extend daily life outside.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026
As the Justice Department reviews the Netflix deal, that more expansive market definition could make a huge difference in how government attorneys weigh the competitive landscape against antitrust concerns.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expansive
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David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
White-sand shores include those at nearby Spring Bay, offering clear waters for snorkeling, an expansive lawn, picnic tables, and a natural swimming pool created by a circle of boulders.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2026
An outdoor shower and expansive upper deck extend daily life outside.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026
As the Justice Department reviews the Netflix deal, that more expansive market definition could make a huge difference in how government attorneys weigh the competitive landscape against antitrust concerns.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expansive
Cite this Entry
“Expansive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expansive. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expansive
adjective
ex·pan·sive
ik-ˈspan(t)-siv
1
: having a capacity or a tendency to expand
gases are expansive
2
: causing or tending to cause expansion
an expansive force
3
: being in a good or talkative mood
4
: having considerable extent : broad
expansively
adverb
expansiveness
noun
Medical Definition
expansive
adjective
ex·pan·sive
ik-ˈspan(t)-siv
: marked by or indicative of exaggerated euphoria and delusions of self-importance
a patient with expansive trends
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