enlarge

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb enlarge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enlarge are augment, increase, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

In what contexts can augment take the place of enlarge?

Although the words augment and enlarge have much in common, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When might increase be a better fit than enlarge?

The words increase and enlarge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

his waistline increased with age
increased her landholdings

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to enlarge?

While in some cases nearly identical to enlarge, multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Example Sentences

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 enlarge In a case from the 1990s, the city of Tigard, Oregon, demanded that, to enlarge her store, the owner of a plumbing supply business had to give up riverfront property and build a bike path. James Burling, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025 Look for draining or enlarging wounds, as well as signs of discomfort. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025 My ambition was to enlarge the opportunity of use for the same clients—to dress them for daily use, for the office, and for their spare time. Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 In the House, Democrats next week expect to enlarge their caucus and strengthen their push for transparency around Epstein. Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlarge
Verb
  • Thus, even if a farmer primarily relied on corn for sustenance and/or trade, planting beans and squash alongside the maize increased the nutritive value of the same area.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The alliance should also increase its training with an eye toward degrading or destroying the Kaliningrad facilities should direct hostilities break out.
    James Stavridis, Twin Cities, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The nursery did well, so Kids Planet began to expand.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The team plans to expand the research to evaluate inhaler emissions in specific patient groups, such as Medicaid recipients, and to compare clinical outcomes of low- and high-emission inhalers in the same therapeutic class.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If space is limited, move the hamper to a nearby hallway or bedroom closet to free up visual space.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Aligned on the right edge, Burns expertly worked a stunt with Abdul Carter that freed him up to dump Hurts for an 8-yard loss.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The actress, who rose to fame for her iconic roles in beloved films such as Annie Hall, The First Wives Club, The Godfather, and many more, died in California, PEOPLE reported on Saturday.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With the right guardrails, integrating AI and other emerging technologies can help boards decode complex issues faster, accelerate upskilling, and enhance decision-making.
    Lara Abrash, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Such access, Su explained, accelerates the development of AI tools in areas like healthcare and emotional support.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But liberating humans from work would also mean liberating them from their paychecks.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Steve Buckley argues that Maye has liberated the Patriots from their past with that scintillating win over the Bills on Sunday.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The country’s declining birthrate means a shrinking workforce saddled with supporting a swelling elderly population.
    Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
  • But while the Spartans swelled with early confidence, the Bruins’ didn’t quite blink.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The 21st century’s computer generated gore Around the turn of the millennium, filmmakers turned to CGI to augment their fake blood, adjusting the colors or make their splatter physics a little more convincing.
    Mark Hay, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Longoria continued her ivory color scheme with a clutch, and augmented her look with warm tones thanks to her small gold hoop earrings and strappy gold sandal heels.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enlarge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlarge. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on enlarge

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