enlarge

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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 Located just south of the landmark American Brewery (the structure that looks like some fantasist vastly enlarged a cuckoo clock) this grouping of public utility structures fell on excruciatingly hard times. Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2025 This additional content offered for purchase enlarges the base game and offers different clothes, hairstyles, items and worlds for people to explore. Gregory Wakeman, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025 With time running out, the planners took a smaller street grid from 15 or so years earlier and simply enlarged it to cover the rest of Manhattan island. The Upshot Staff, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024 Big names from class struggles past Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, both scions of an old and prosperous Dutch dynasty in New York, enlarged their vision and political prospects by transcending allegiance to their economic caste. Ron Elving, NPR, 1 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlarge
Verb
  • Talent impacts: Automation of repetitive tasks may decrease offshoring appeal and increase demand for advanced skills.
    Mit Somaiya, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Accordingly, with no viable domestic production alternative, prices for end-users would increase.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Success in this new landscape depends on maintaining high-quality standards while effectively harnessing AI's capabilities to enhance and expand data resources.
    Deepak Yadav, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • These actions are leaving the U.S. vulnerable despite years of evidence that Russia is committed to continuing and expanding its cyber efforts, according to Liana Keesing, campaigns manager for technology reform at Issue One, a nonprofit that has studied technology’s impact on democracy.
    David Klepper, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The European Union will free up $840 billion in funding to funnel into defense across the bloc, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • But Jordan says the money freed up within a few days.
    Debbie Elliott, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With inflation high and interest rates rising, the outlook is bleak for many Americans.
    Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The watch includes a spinning roulette wheel in a 44-mm rose gold case.
    Mikelle Street, WWD, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • If an earlier breakthrough occurs: Should a major quantum attack capability emerge earlier than expected, the bitcoin community can accelerate the above timeline.
    Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • On the surface, this shift has the potential to accelerate China’s ascent as a global power, potentially granting the world’s second-largest economy space to win more allies, boost its global leadership and shift global norms and rules – such as those on human rights or security – in its favor.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Artist and rapper Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter, herself formerly incarcerated and commissioned to create a new work for the Rikers women, worked with Ringgold, politicians, artists, philanthropists, and corrections officers to liberate the original painting.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Tragically, Hunt notes, the same global commodity that may have helped liberate British women did the opposite for West Africans, who endured the Middle Passage in ever larger numbers to work as slaves in the Caribbean sugar fields and sweeten English tea.
    Marjoleine Kars, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The imbalance swelled to a record $131.4 billion in January, a 34% increase from the prior month and nearly double from a year ago.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Also known as Triple E, the virus swells the brain, and kills about one in three patients.
    Denise Hruby, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Possibilities include accelerating drug discovery, augmenting preclinical or clinical research, predicting potential product quality issues and optimizing testing protocols.
    Aman Wasan, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Conrad called steel guitarist Justin Schipper in to augment the band the next day at The Smoakstack, a studio loaded with guitars — and ceramic figures — in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood.
    Tom Roland, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enlarge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlarge. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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