as in broadening
to increase the width, breadth, or scope of
Immediate action to widen the highway is needed to ease the near constant congestion. The authorities planned to widen their investigation into Ponzi scheme.
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Recent Examples of widening
His recent work has examined the impacts of drought, threats to public lands and wildlife, and the nation’s widening rural-urban divide.
—
Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026
The city is widening its entertainment zone to include the whole downtown area, rather than just the promenade.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
In contrast, hair loss tends to show up in specific patterns — such as thinning near the temples, a widening hairline, or bald areas near the crown — and happen more gradually.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
As live performances became a more important source of revenue for artists and promoters, these factors contributed to a sustained rise in ticket costs, widening the gap between general consumer prices and the cost of attending major concerts.
—Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Hospital costs are among the major forces driving Americans deeper into debt and widening the inequality gap.
—Gretchen Morgenson, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
The plan will require the stadium comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, widening the aisles and adding handrails — presumably forcing a seating reduction in the stadium’s lower bowl.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
South Korea encouraged quicker showers and is considering widening curbs on driving, while Egypt ordered stores and restaurants to close early.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
And, third, if the public likes outdoor dining (and who doesn’t), widening the sidewalks would be far better than building structures in the street.
—Lucius J. Riccio, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026
The city is widening its entertainment zone to include the whole downtown area, rather than just the promenade.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
In contrast, hair loss tends to show up in specific patterns — such as thinning near the temples, a widening hairline, or bald areas near the crown — and happen more gradually.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
As live performances became a more important source of revenue for artists and promoters, these factors contributed to a sustained rise in ticket costs, widening the gap between general consumer prices and the cost of attending major concerts.
—Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Hospital costs are among the major forces driving Americans deeper into debt and widening the inequality gap.
—Gretchen Morgenson, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
The plan will require the stadium comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, widening the aisles and adding handrails — presumably forcing a seating reduction in the stadium’s lower bowl.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
South Korea encouraged quicker showers and is considering widening curbs on driving, while Egypt ordered stores and restaurants to close early.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
And, third, if the public likes outdoor dining (and who doesn’t), widening the sidewalks would be far better than building structures in the street.
—Lucius J. Riccio, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widening
Verb
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Inclusive capitalism recognizes that broadening access to capital and expanding participation fuels innovation and entrepreneurship, and ultimately leads to more sustainable economic growth.—
Jacob Walthour,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Through this broadening contact, YLO became informed about what was happening in the rest of the country with other Latin groups who were engaged in struggle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Major insulin makers Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk also have moved to cut the cost of insulin, with different combinations of cutting list prices, capping out-of-pocket costs and expanding affordability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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The golden arches is expanding its McValue offerings with an under $3 menu and a $4 breakfast meal deal starting on April 21.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Regulatory pressures are intensifying, Larson noted, with shifting requirements and a changing geopolitical backdrop making compliance a moving target.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
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As multinational drugmakers flood China in search of deals, competition is intensifying, and valuations are rising sharply, according to VCs and other observers.—
Brian Yang,
STAT,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Widening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widening. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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