extensive
adjective
ex·ten·sive
ik-ˈsten(t)-siv 
1
: having wide or considerable extent
extensive reading
2
3
: of, relating to, or constituting farming in which large areas of land are utilized with minimum outlay and labor
extensively
adverb
extensiveness
noun
Examples of extensive in a Sentence
The storm caused extensive damage.
an extensive series of tests
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite an extensive search involving the California Highway Patrol and a Coast Guard helicopter, his body was not recovered.
—
Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Authorities say the case took years to build, involving extensive video evidence, cellphone data and interviews.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The fire caused extensive damage to the store, which included loss of merchandise, smoke contamination, and structural damage.
—City News Service, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extensive
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Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Authorities say the case took years to build, involving extensive video evidence, cellphone data and interviews.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The fire caused extensive damage to the store, which included loss of merchandise, smoke contamination, and structural damage.
—City News Service, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extensive
Cite this Entry
“Extensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extensive. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extensive
adjective
ex·ten·sive
ik-ˈsten(t)-siv
: having wide or large extent
extensively
adverb
extensiveness
noun
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