Synonyms of extend

extend

verb

ik-ˈstend 

1

as in to lengthen

to make longer

our guests from out of town extended their visit by a week

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lengthen
• prolong
• increase
• stretch
• elongate
• expand
• drag (out)
• protract
• draw out
• enlarge
• outstretch
• amplify
• attenuate
• thin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shorten
• cut
• curtail
• reduce
• cut back
• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• abridge
• abbreviate
• thicken

2

as in to offer

to put before another for acceptance or consideration

the couple extended an invitation to join them for a get-together at their house after the concert

Synonyms & Similar Words

• offer
• give
• run by
• tender
• proffer
• propose
• trot out
• run past
• submit
• pose
• hold out
• volunteer
• give in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• receive
• take
• accept
• authorize
• approve
• confirm
• formalize
• deny
• ratify
• warrant
• okay
• sanction
• finalize
• reject
• refuse
• clear
• disallow
• OK
• decline
• negative
• disapprove
• veto
• turn down
• withdraw
• retract
• rebut
• accredit
• ignore
• spurn
• homologate
• approbate
• disregard
• overlook
• neglect
• rebuff

3

as in to expand

to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area

you can extend that chaise longue so that it lies completely flat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expand
• open
• unfold
• spread (out)
• stretch (out)
• unfurl
• outstretch
• outspread
• flare (out)
• fan (out)
• overspread

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• close
• reduce
• contract
• fold
• compact
• compress
• condense

4

as in to lead

to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction

our backyard extends all the way to that brook

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lead
• go
• run
• lie
• pass
• head
• cut
• cross
• bear
• span
• follow
• course
• traverse

5

as in to increase

to make greater in size, amount, or number

embarked on a series of wars intended to extend his empire

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• expand
• accelerate
• augment
• boost
• raise
• enhance
• multiply
• reinforce
• add (to)
• strengthen
• amplify
• maximize
• intensify
• enlarge
• escalate
• swell
• aggrandize
• stoke
• build up
• up
• pump up
• compound
• lengthen
• prolong
• supersize
• develop
• supplement
• stretch
• heighten
• elongate
• jump
• complement
• distend
• hype
• protract
• inflate
• dilate
• skyrocket
• draw out
• spike
• flesh (out)
• reenforce
• bump (up)
• boom
• accumulate
• magnify
• ratchet (up)
• collect
• blow up
• amass
• parlay
• follow up
• rachet (up)
• beef (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• diminish
• decrease
• lessen
• shorten
• lower
• curtail
• subtract (from)
• downsize
• dwindle
• abate
• abridge
• abbreviate
• compress
• constrict
• condense
• contract
• minify
• de-escalate
• cut back
• retrench

6

as in to dilute

to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances

the company extends its ice cream with thickeners and other additives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dilute
• cut
• weaken
• infect
• load
• pollute
• manipulate
• thin
• spoil
• poison
• dirty
• water down
• degrade
• adulterate
• taint
• contaminate
• soil
• lace
• debase
• qualify
• cheapen
• attenuate
• defile
• misrepresent
• sully
• sophisticate
• falsify
• corrupt
• temper
• tamper (with)
• moderate
• foul
• befoul
• spike
• counterfeit
• fake
• envenom
• doctor
• fudge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strengthen
• enrich
• fortify
• augment
• reinforce
• supplement
• fertilize
• improve
• reenforce
• enhance
• clarify
• refine
• better
• purify
• lard
• clean
• richen
• decontaminate
• cleanse
• filter
• distil
• distill
• flush
• purge
• leach
• compact
• condense
• concentrate
• pasteurize

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb extend contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of extend are lengthen, prolong, and protract. While all these words mean "to draw out or add to so as to increase in length," extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range.

extend a vacation

extend welfare services

lengthen a skirt

lengthen the workweek

When would prolong be a good substitute for extend?

The words prolong and extend can be used in similar contexts, but prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

How do protract and prolong relate to one another, in the sense of extend?

Protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.

protracted litigation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of extend

By Tuesday night, the threat will extend eastward into Virginia and the western Carolinas. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

The resulting power outage extended for multiple blocks, police said. —Mark Price, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025

Congress has a long history of ultimately extending temporary tax cuts beyond their expiration dates. —Nik Popli, Time, 19 May 2025

President Trump, Vice President Vance React to First American Pope Announcement World leaders across continents extended messages of hope, unity and spiritual solidarity Thursday after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025