enlarge

verb

en·large in-ˈlärj

en-

enlarged; enlarging

Synonyms of enlarge next

transitive verb

: to make larger : extend

enlarged the family fortune with new investments

: to give greater scope to : expand

education may enlarge one's view of the world

: to set free

enlarge a captive

intransitive verb

: to grow larger

: to speak or write at length : elaborate

let me enlarge upon that point

enlargeable

in-ˈlär-jə-bəl

en-

adjective

enlarger noun

Choose the Right Synonym for enlarge

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater.

increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity

his waistline increased with age

; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

increased her landholdings

enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Examples of enlarge in a Sentence

We had the photograph enlarged. as the number of people with cell phones enlarges, more transmission towers will have to be built

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.

Big names from class struggles past Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, both scions of an old and prosperous Dutch dynasty in New York, enlarged their vision and political prospects by transcending allegiance to their economic caste. —

Ron Elving, NPR, 1 Feb. 2025 Out came a glossy photograph of Bissonnette enlarged to the size of a small poster. —

Peter Larsen, Orange County Register, 23 Jan. 2025 Barack Obama established or enlarged 34 monuments; Bill Clinton did 22. —

Miyo McGinn, Outside Online, 22 Jan. 2025 Owners concerned whether or not their dog is experiencing a phantom pregnancy can look for the following symptoms: mammary development, lactation, enlarged belly, loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, nesting, being protective of small inanimate objects and restlessness or aggression. —

Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for enlarge