enlarge

Definition of enlargenext
1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb enlarge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enlarge are augment, increase, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

In what contexts can augment take the place of enlarge?

Although the words augment and enlarge have much in common, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When might increase be a better fit than enlarge?

The words increase and enlarge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

his waistline increased with age
increased her landholdings

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to enlarge?

While in some cases nearly identical to enlarge, multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

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 enlarge Imaging suggested Bryan’s spleen might be enlarged, and there was blood in the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity, though there was no active hemorrhage. Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2026 Khamsi cites the example of hemimegalencephaly, a rare disorder in which half of the brain is abnormally enlarged. Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 Contemporary metal windows were taken out in favor of broad panes of glass framed by wood and a skylight above the stairs was enlarged, showing ways to bring more light into the dark townhomes they were sometimes tapped to reimagine. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Apr. 2026 The test likely indicates Kim is intent on enlarging and modernizing an arsenal of missiles capable of reaching the United States mainland. ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlarge
Verb
  • The 76ers led for all but 31 seconds in the game, increasing a five-point halftime edge to 18 in the third quarter.
    Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • Her aunt plans to pressure the City Council to pass measures to increase building safety.
    Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • The chain eventually expanded to other nameplates — Banana Republic and Old Navy — and now generates more than $15 billion in sales globally.
    Anne D'Innocenzio, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
  • That means expanding the Renter’s Tax Credit, protecting homeowners from rising costs and making sure renters know their rights and can access homelessness prevention services.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • During the Iraq War, the popular narrative was that our heroic soldiers and marines were going in to liberate the people, free women, and topple a brutal dictator—the same nonsense we are fed now about Iran.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
  • That audience members, by virtue of access to a camera, keyboard, and the Internet, can capture, compile, edit, frame, and package an event as news without any regard to journalistic ethics is liberating and constraining at the same time.
    Shepherd Mpofu, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But they are expected to rise with tightening supplies of fuel and fertilizer.
    Mae Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • To address rising demand of lithium The USGS projects that global production capacity will double by 2029 to address rising demand from technology companies.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Even accelerating a college degree to three years from four, can save students $100,000 dollars or more at many schools.
    Matthew G. Andersson, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
  • Conventional intuition suggests that the most efficient way to accelerate a chemical reaction is to give reactants unhindered access to a highly active catalyst.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • The songs were radiant, ecstatic, and cleansing, a deep exhale from a band freed from boardroom expectations.
    Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
  • That sentence was later commuted to 27 years, and then by a sixth in a Myanmar New Year amnesty on April 17 that freed her ally and co-defendant Win Myint, the former president.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Veneers and crowns can cause temporary sensitivity or mild discomfort, while implants may lead to swelling and soreness in the first few days.
    K.H. Koehler, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • While a warm, four-bar bassline chugs alongside dubby stabs and bouncy swells, BEA1991’s vocals switch from nonchalant monotone to falsetto in a way that sounds like an involuntary yelp of joy.
    Reid BG, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This is the first of a new type of rideshare program flying to that orbit that augments SpaceX’s Transporter program that flies to SSO.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
  • Today the precision of offside decisions can be augmented with the use of technologies such as video assistant referee (VAR) with semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), which help reduce controversial calls.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enlarge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlarge. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on enlarge

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster