broaden

verb

broad·​en ˈbrȯ-dᵊn How to pronounce broaden (audio)
broadened; broadening ˈbrȯd-niŋ How to pronounce broaden (audio)
ˈbrȯ-dᵊn-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to become broad

Examples of broaden in a Sentence

They need to broaden their understanding of other cultures. The police have broadened the scope of the investigation. Her smile broadened when I told her the good news. The investigation has broadened to include the mayor's staff. His interests broadened to include art and music, not just sports.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Thanks to supportive regulations, this approach also broadens access and improves service quality in underserved areas. Ethan Stone, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024 Those criteria have broadened over the last few years; testing is usually done through a blood or saliva sample. David Oliver, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024 None of these three films broadened out in North America beyond a Caucasian audience in the way that’s necessary for tentpoles to achieve mass appeal. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024 This holiday season, Glazer said the brand aims to broaden the GiGi customer’s view of our brand, leveraging its unique position in the market with its extension into home and gift products — a space unrivaled by other brands. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for broaden 

Word History

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of broaden was in 1727

Cite this Entry

“Broaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broaden. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

broaden

verb
broad·​en ˈbrȯd-ᵊn How to pronounce broaden (audio)
broadened; broadening ˈbrȯd-niŋ How to pronounce broaden (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become broad or broader
broaden your horizons
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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