1
as in developing
to express more fully and in greater detail
an article on the First Ladies that the author later expanded into a book
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in increasing
to make greater in size, amount, or number
we had to expand the list of wedding guests several times in order to accommodate all the relatives Mother wouldn't dream of excluding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in extending
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area
a spare leaf for those times when we have to expand the dining table to accommodate extra guests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rising
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
water expands when it becomes frozen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 expanding
Major insulin makers Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk also have moved to cut the cost of insulin, with different combinations of cutting list prices, capping out-of-pocket costs and expanding affordability.
—
ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
The golden arches is expanding its McValue offerings with an under $3 menu and a $4 breakfast meal deal starting on April 21.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Neon will release The Christophers in New York and Los Angeles on April 10, expanding nationwide on April 17.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
The state responded with the repression of protesters, followed by a consolidation of the security apparatus – particularly the expanding influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps around the supreme leader.
—Roxane Razavi, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Rapid developments in computer and Internet technology powered an ever-expanding selection of handheld digital devices such as the Palm Pilot, BlackBerry, iPhone, and iPod.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Inclusive capitalism recognizes that broadening access to capital and expanding participation fuels innovation and entrepreneurship, and ultimately leads to more sustainable economic growth.
—Jacob Walthour, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Berenjak, a buzzy Iranian restaurant that started in London before expanding abroad, opens a permanent location in Riyadh today.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The rollout will start in Charlotte before expanding to Chicago and Milwaukee.
—Chase Jordan
march 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
The golden arches is expanding its McValue offerings with an under $3 menu and a $4 breakfast meal deal starting on April 21.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Neon will release The Christophers in New York and Los Angeles on April 10, expanding nationwide on April 17.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
The state responded with the repression of protesters, followed by a consolidation of the security apparatus – particularly the expanding influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps around the supreme leader.
—Roxane Razavi, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Rapid developments in computer and Internet technology powered an ever-expanding selection of handheld digital devices such as the Palm Pilot, BlackBerry, iPhone, and iPod.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Inclusive capitalism recognizes that broadening access to capital and expanding participation fuels innovation and entrepreneurship, and ultimately leads to more sustainable economic growth.
—Jacob Walthour, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Berenjak, a buzzy Iranian restaurant that started in London before expanding abroad, opens a permanent location in Riyadh today.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The rollout will start in Charlotte before expanding to Chicago and Milwaukee.
—Chase Jordan
march 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expanding
Verb
-
This is a developing story that will be updated to add new information.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
By Easter Sunday, another cold front will approach the region with a line of showers and storms developing ahead of it.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The film is set in a mountain village where an elderly woman named Hettie (Hettie Farmer) lives alone on a small farm, tending her flock of goats with increasing difficulty.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
New York City Councilwoman Farah Louis is under increasing scrutiny amid a federal public corruption investigation involving the state’s homeless shelters for migrants.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Congress anticipated those rising costs and debated extending the enhanced premium tax credits toward the end of last year.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
San Antonio had six players score in double figures while extending its lead to 29 points in the third quarter.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tensions are rising nationally as the military operation in Iran continues and ICE officers appear in airports.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Carr acknowledged the rising cost and sometimes inconvenient nature of sports streaming are frustrating fans, arguing the drawbacks ultimately outweigh the benefits.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Similarly to fossil fuel supply disruptions of the past, the Iran conflict is already accelerating interest in renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy independence.—
Brian Lee,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
These dynamics are accelerating structural change across the sector.—
Assef Shaikh,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His parents prospered, opening a fur shop called Paris-New York and moving to the tony Sixteenth Arrondissement.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Harris Theater for Music and Dance has announced its 2026-27 season of dance, music and theater, its 20th anniversary season in Millennium Park, opening with a visit from the Trisha Brown Dance Company in September.—
Doug George,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Years later, in Austria’s Salzburg, a now late teen Wolfgang Mozart performs a piece which is one part period piano, another part glam rock with a swelling modern orchestra, a powerful Freddie Mercury-esque choir and Mozart slamming his piano.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The victim, a 31-year-old man, had visible facial injuries, including scrapes, lacerations and swelling, and injuries indicative of being dragged on pavement, police wrote.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has said that augmenting the trenches is a priority.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
-
This is all about augmenting its oncology portfolio ahead of top-selling cancer drug Keytruda losing its patent protection in 2028.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expanding. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
