as in to extend
to make longer
I had to lengthen the handle of the paint roller in order to reach the top of the wall
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lengthen
The seams along the front of legs lend it a lengthening effect, and there are five washes to choose from.
—
Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
But at a Thursday, April 2 hearing, Lofton’s probation was reinstated, though it was lengthened from five to 10 years, his mother said.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026
Arriving too early can have the adverse effect of lengthening wait times, according to the airports.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
But a full closure still has the potential to cut off residents from other neighborhoods, reduce foot traffic in the commercial strip on the west side of the river and lengthen ambulance rides to hospitals on the east side of the river, Smith said.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lengthen
Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
But at a Thursday, April 2 hearing, Lofton’s probation was reinstated, though it was lengthened from five to 10 years, his mother said.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026
Arriving too early can have the adverse effect of lengthening wait times, according to the airports.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
But a full closure still has the potential to cut off residents from other neighborhoods, reduce foot traffic in the commercial strip on the west side of the river and lengthen ambulance rides to hospitals on the east side of the river, Smith said.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthen
Verb
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Edwards extended his hit streak to five games during Tuesday evening’s 9-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox, going 2 for 4 with a pair of singles.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
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Eighth-grader Ella Parece dealt a complete-game shutout, pairing with a two-RBI performance from Bella Bourque to help Taunton (2-0) extend its win streak to 58 games with a 5-0 Hockomock League victory over Attleboro.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Parabens Parabens are chemical preservatives that help prolong the shelf life of deodorants and other skincare products by preventing mold and bacterial growth.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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Deadheading keeps the plant neat and prolongs its blooming period.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The MorphoScan’s measurements ebbed and flowed from day to day as expected, with my weight dropping the day after a cardio workout and increasing after a weekend of indulgence.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
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UConn recovered from its prolonged shooting slump to regain its bearings, eventually increasing its lead to 10 points on a Mullins’ 3 with 47 seconds left in the half before heading into the locker room up 37-29.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trolley lines move across the city, stretching as far West as the Darby Transit Center and back East toward 13th street.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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In the courtyard, the hotel’s signature Mariposa (Spanish for butterfly) sculpture stretches overhead like a modern butterfly wing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Looking for leg-elongating pants?—
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson wasn't going to push the right-hander almost 1,000 days since his big league path was elongated by Tommy John surgery.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthen. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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