WIDEN Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

widen

verb

Definition of widen

as in to broaden

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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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 widen Cities use the county’s full-day traffic counts to decide whether or not to widen roads instead of peak times, which can cause congestion as development comes in. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 The strikes marked a fresh escalation in the widening Middle East crisis and came shortly after a coalition spokesman urged residents to evacuate the area for their safety. — Fatma Khaled, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 More than five centuries ago, the son of a wool weaver from Genoa sailed westward to widen the boundaries of the known world. — Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 12 Oct. 2026 There was a great deal of anger—about government malfeasance, a widening wealth gap, and an impossibly tight labor market—especially among young Koreans like Oh. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for widen

Verb

The safe and predictable format and approach to creativity that was needed to broaden appeal to advertisers.

— William Daddi, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The torture accusations substantially broaden the case, bringing allegations of political persecution and abuse in Venezuelan detention facilities into a prosecution initially centered on international drug trafficking.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of broaden

Verb

From elevating beds to expanding sections to sliding walls and even entire roofs, these 10 homes transform to get maximum use out of a compact space.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Blue Origin is expanding its Florida operations to support a much faster launch schedule, targeting multiple New Glenn flights per week by the end of the decade.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

Russia has also intensified attacks on Ukraine's transport infrastructure, including road border crossings, railways and shipping routes, Derkach said.

— Elsa Ohlen,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Support for separation intensified among some Albertans following COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates.

— Sheena Rossiter, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensify

Browse Nearby Words

widemouthed

widen

widened

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“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widen. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of widen

verb

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