1
as in develops
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 increases
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 extends
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 rises
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 expands
Its acquisition of the 219 Big Lots stores expands its footprint to over 600 stores across 18 states.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Comments Isabela Merced explains how HBO's 'The Last of Us' expands Dina's backstory from the game.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
As the information that has been requested expands to include immigration efforts, tax policy experts expressed concern about the breadth of the requests.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
That has become all the more pressing as North Korea expands its nuclear threat and forges a military alliance of its own with Russia.
—Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
This small but mighty chair expands to a 14-inch seating area and has a steel frame that can support up to 275 pounds.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2025
Further studies will show more precisely how on-campus early voting expands the voter universe.
—Stephen C. Phillips, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
AfD was jubilant on Sunday night, with leaders vowing to become the country's main party in the next election as its appeal expands.
—Vanessa Gera, arkansasonline.com, 25 Feb. 2025
As the hemp industry expands, so will concerns about how to protect public health.
—Katharine Neill Harris, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Comments Isabela Merced explains how HBO's 'The Last of Us' expands Dina's backstory from the game.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
As the information that has been requested expands to include immigration efforts, tax policy experts expressed concern about the breadth of the requests.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
That has become all the more pressing as North Korea expands its nuclear threat and forges a military alliance of its own with Russia.
—Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
This small but mighty chair expands to a 14-inch seating area and has a steel frame that can support up to 275 pounds.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2025
Further studies will show more precisely how on-campus early voting expands the voter universe.
—Stephen C. Phillips, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
AfD was jubilant on Sunday night, with leaders vowing to become the country's main party in the next election as its appeal expands.
—Vanessa Gera, arkansasonline.com, 25 Feb. 2025
As the hemp industry expands, so will concerns about how to protect public health.
—Katharine Neill Harris, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expands
Verb
-
At the very least, Booker would be solid insurance at guard, and best-case scenario, the guard develops into an All-Pro in Miami.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The most common type of uterine cancer is endometrial cancer, which develops in the uterine lining.—
Carrie Madormo, RN,
Health,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Sleep deprivation lowers productivity, increases absenteeism, and worsens presenteeism (where employees show up but perform well below their capacity).—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
This approach increases data reliability, while providing a granular understanding of how the physical environment interacts with social regulation.—
Benjamin Voyer,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Its elegance extends inside of the building to the expansive bridal suite with rooms designated for hair and makeup, and its ballroom for rehearsal dinners.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2025
-
And its dominance extends beyond cars; China also produces more than half the global supply of steel, aluminum, and ships.—
Michael B. G. Froman,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Each time the calendar flips during the NBA season, that number rises by just under $12k.—
Tony East,
Forbes,
22 Dec. 2024
-
Steve Hard, the current head of medical at Portsmouth, explains how there are more layers to the job the higher a club rises through the leagues.—
Tom Burrows,
The Athletic,
22 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Technology accelerates the cycles of interest and churn, and new, attention-grabbing products and services are everywhere.—
Nicki Sprinz,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
As change accelerates, companies will need a combination of sustainable and disruptive innovations to remain competitive and create opportunities for growth.—
Chris Perry,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Additionally, the Mansfield Drive-in Theatre opens for the season Friday, April 4, according to a release.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Evita opens at the London Palladium on June 14 and runs through September 6.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In addition, introducing fire emissions further augments the CO2 levels reviewed in the study.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
22 Jan. 2025
-
The key point is that Generative AI augments and is not a substitute for human creativity, and the same idea applies to the other behaviors of transcendence.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Yet as the story unfolds, Scrooge himself learns the profound value of a pause through his transformative journey with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
This cuvée continually unfolds in the glass - this is a memorable wine!—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Expands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expands. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share