WIDENS Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

widens

verb

present tense third-person singular of widen

as in broadens

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 widens This uncontrolled melting widens the cavern and dangerously thins the structural salt pillars separating adjacent domes. — Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 The use of noble language to describe a process that weakens constitutional guardrails only widens the disconnect between words and actions. — Yuripzy Morgan, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026 The commodity tier keeps getting cheaper, which widens what AI gets used for. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 This not only improves blow flow in one particular region but also relaxes and widens blood vessels throughout the body, Kloner says. — Will Stone, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026 Her expression tips from worry into wonder, and the wonder becomes a smile, and the smile widens. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 Even so, stablecoin's benefits are starting to emerge, as usage widens. — Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 Spicy food ingredients, especially capsaicin—which widens blood vessels and reduces salty food cravings—may be involved if the blood pressure effects of a spicy food diet are scientifically proven. — Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 3 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for widens

Verb

Technical sheets and certification data The release of ElectroFlex broadens the technical work at SolarWindow, which previously focused on liquid coatings that turn building window glass into power-generating surfaces.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
The sulfolane work broadens that problem from separating polyester and cellulose toward handling a wider assortment of mixed polyester waste, including stretch textiles.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of broadens

Verb

Hydropower capacity expands China has continued adding hydropower capacity as part of its broader clean-energy expansion.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Based on the legend of the Chinese goddess Chang’e, this book reimagines and expands the myth to center her daughter, Xingyin, who flees her home and embarks on a bold adventure to save her mother while training in enemy territory.

— Chloe Gong, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of expands

Verb

Over the coming years, NASA’s VIPER rover, the European Space Agency’s PROSPECT drilling package, and the Japan-India LUPEX rover are expected to arrive at the moon’s south pole, as the race to find water sources intensifies.

— Reuters, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026
The challenge of proximity becomes more serious when a storm rapidly intensifies.

— Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensifies

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widening

widens

wide-ranging

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“Widens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widens. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of widens

verb

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