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Definitions

expand

[ik-spand] / ɪkˈspænd /
VERB
extend, augment
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bolster broaden develop enlarge grow increase open spread swell widen
STRONG
aggrandize amplify bloat burgeon detail diffuse dilate distend elaborate embellish explicate fatten heighten hike inflate lengthen magnify mount multiply mushroom pad piggyback prolong protract pyramid stretch thicken unfold unfurl unravel unroll wax
WEAK
beef up blow up bulk up fan out fill out open out outspread puff up slap on soup up spread out stretch out tack on upsurge
Antonyms
STRONGEST
close compress decrease diminish end halt hide hinder lessen narrow reduce restrict shrink stop
STRONG
abbreviate contract curtail deflate fall lower shorten shrivel simplify tangle thin withhold
WEAK
abridge
VERB
go into detail
Synonyms
STRONGEST
build up develop enlarge extend
STRONG
amplify dilate discourse elaborate embellish expatiate expound sweeten
WEAK
beef up drag out flesh out spell out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abridge compress condense curtail decrease lessen lower shrink
STRONG
contract reduce simplify
WEAK
abbreviate shorten

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Weston Favell Shopping Centre plans to continue working with Trovr and the Wombles to also expand rewards in the coming months.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

It plans to expand its force of business bankers to 4,000 from 3,000 over the next decade.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The team plans to expand their research by testing more garments and analyzing whether higher lead content in fabric directly translates to greater absorption in children.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

The joint venture will oversee around 8,000 company-run stores, with longer-term plans to expand to as many as 20,000.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

This energy shoots out from the center of the star, causing it to expand a little bit.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.