expand

verb

ik-ˈspand How to pronounce expand (audio)
Definition of expandnext
1
as in to develop
to express more fully and in greater detail an article on the First Ladies that the author later expanded into a book

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number we had to expand the list of wedding guests several times in order to accommodate all the relatives Mother wouldn't dream of excluding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to extend
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area a spare leaf for those times when we have to expand the dining table to accommodate extra guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to accelerate
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number water expands when it becomes frozen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb expand differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of expand are amplify, dilate, distend, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When can amplify be used instead of expand?

The meanings of amplify and expand largely overlap; however, amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When might dilate be a better fit than expand?

Although the words dilate and expand have much in common, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

When is distend a more appropriate choice than expand?

The words distend and expand can be used in similar contexts, but distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When is it sensible to use inflate instead of expand?

In some situations, the words inflate and expand are roughly equivalent. However, inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

In what contexts can swell take the place of expand?

While the synonyms swell and expand are close in meaning, swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

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 expand Capital One is expanding its travel perks, adding exclusive airport lounges, landings (think: snazzy, foodie-forward boutique lounges) and two hotel collections with special benefits. —Paul Rubio, AFAR Media, 21 Apr. 2025 Strengthen Parent Engagement and District Transparency Promote clear, consistent communication and expand opportunities for parents to be involved in decision-making, ensuring every family feels informed, heard, and respected. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025 She was thrilled last fall when the USDA awarded the neighborhood council a three-year, $130,000 grant to expand the gardens and farmers market serving the area. —Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025 The company has also been expanding overseas in recent years and now has operations in Israel, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. —Jonathan Burgos, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for expand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expand
  1. develop
  2. increase
  3. extend
  4. accelerate
  5. supplement
  6. augment
  7. open
  8. rise
Verb
  • Every formula at Holos is developed, tested, and manufactured in its own facility, allowing the brand to ensure the quality of the products from batch to batch.
    — Xandra Harbet, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The system developed its top hypothesis with a simple rationale, drawing a link to another research area and coming to a conclusion the human team had taken years to arrive at.
    — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of develop
Verb
  • Tesla has increased North American sourcing for parts of many models over the last two years, which would decrease tariff exposure for the E41, two people aware of the matter said.
    — Abhirup Roy, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be? (1) Infrastructure in forms of roads and increased police and fire due to the growing population.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Mummy Pig talks pregnancy, big feelings Kelce, also pregnant with her fourth daughter at the time, extended her congratulations and asked how Mummy Pig's other children, Peppa and George, were handling the news.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • That incentive, which expires this year, could be extended and raised from its current limit of $15 million per production.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of extend
Verb
  • The improved coding and long-context capabilities could accelerate software development cycles, enabling developers to tackle more complex problems, analyze legacy code more effectively, or generate code documentation and tests more efficiently.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • This process can accelerate movement toward extreme issue-position groups and identities.
    — Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • Invest In Enrichment: Use reliable external sources to supplement your data, helping improve segmentation and message relevance.
    — Ryan Ferrier, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The main question posed at the meeting was whether schools could supplement the new curriculum with other platforms.
    — Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of supplement
Verb
  • The most successful implementations use technology to augment human capabilities, providing tools that help people work more efficiently rather than avoiding challenges altogether.
    — AJ Bubb, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Brynjolfsson, in his Daedalus article, suggested changing the tax system to give businesses more incentive to invest in technology that augments labor rather than replaces it.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of augment
Verb
  • Patterson is set to enter the transfer portal when the second cycle opens on Wednesday.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
  • After three frustrating results to open the season, NJ/NY Gotham FC found its breakthrough Sunday, edging out the North Carolina Courage 3-1 at Sports Illustrated Arena.
    — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of open
Verb
  • These luxe hydrogel eye masks, infused with antioxidant-rich colloidal gold and soothing rose damask extract, brighten and boost radiance in the delicate under-eye area.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Single-family housing starts rose 11.4 percent in February, the highest rate in a year, but are primarily happening in just one part of the country.
    — Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of rise

Browse Nearby Words

exotics
expand
expanded
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Cite this Entry

“Expand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expand. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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