1
as in limit
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go
the coach exceeded the extent of his authority by exempting some of the players from the requirement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in expansion
a wide space or area
the seemingly endless extent of the windswept prairies
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in scope
an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends
the extent of this criminal investigation has widened considerably since it began
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in size
the total amount of measurable space or surface occupied by something
looking at the extent of the stain on my shirt, you might think that I had spilled a gallon of coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of extent
The primary issue is that as such a problem grows, the number of possible solutions explodes exponentially to the extent that even quantum computers and supercomputers struggle to keep up.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Specifically, for the past 20 years, there has been no statistically significant relationship between the geographic distance between two countries and the extent to which incomes in the two countries move together — what economists refer to as their economic covariance.
—Josh Ederington, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
The building suffered some structural damage, but firefighters were unsure of the extent.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
To some extent, this appears to have worked.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extent
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Specifically, for the past 20 years, there has been no statistically significant relationship between the geographic distance between two countries and the extent to which incomes in the two countries move together — what economists refer to as their economic covariance.
—Josh Ederington, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
The building suffered some structural damage, but firefighters were unsure of the extent.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
To some extent, this appears to have worked.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extent
Noun
-
The system is built for logistics and warehousing operations where frozen goods face strict shelf-life limits, FIFO requirements, and growing SKU complexity.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Olathe City Council also approved using their dollars to help build the team’s new training facility and team headquarters on 165 acres in Olathe city limits.—
Sofi Zeman,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While political leaders on both sides of the aisle often tout the benefits of energy expansion, their support tends to fade when local considerations come into play.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
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Heirs had raised $750 million from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in December to finance the expansion of its own oil producing facility to 100,000 barrels per day within five years, more than doubling the asset’s capacity when it was bought from Shell in 2021.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The bill’s scope was narrowed somewhat in the House Environment and Transportation Committee.—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
-
In its quest to expand its scope and tap into the cultural moment of the city, the brand also designed the Olympic and Paralympic uniforms for the 18,000 volunteers and the workforce members involved in the event.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Rockies want pitches of all shapes and sizes.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The lot size of the property measures 6,000 square feet.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The study, which was published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, had several limitations, the researchers acknowledged.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Experts say another common and often overlooked limitation of anticoagulants is that even with the newer generation of the drugs, doctors need to take care to prescribe the appropriate drug and dose for a patient.—
David Cox,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Manuel also jangles this apparent order with the striking visual trope of disorienting disproportions of scale—figures appearing unexpectedly small or large in the course’s expanses.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The black expanse of thin, dense and relatively young basalt from those centers stands in stark contrast to thicker, more buoyant continental crust, which is primarily granite but contains the full gamut of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks and can be billions of years old.—
Evan Howell,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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If multiple hypotheses work to explain the data equally well but one conflicts with reality in some other realm (and the other doesn’t), the one that’s valid across the widest range of applicability is superior.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
-
There are many arguments and ideas to bring more transparency, flexibility and consumer choice to the realm of drug pricing.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some smells aren't the best, but fragrance adds another dimension to your home.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The chunky shaker stitch is woven with subtle metallic threads for dimension, while the rich burgundy shade works now and transitions seamlessly into spring.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extent. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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