Synonyms of widen

widen

verb

as in to broaden

to increase the width, breadth, or scope of

Immediate action to widen the highway is needed to ease the near constant congestion.

The authorities planned to widen their investigation into Ponzi scheme.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• broaden
• expand
• intensify
• extend
• strengthen
• enhance
• consolidate
• reinforce
• enlarge
• lengthen
• augment
• elongate
• deepen
• add (to)
• stretch
• enforce
• amplify
• heighten
• sharpen
• swell
• maximize
• redouble
• emphasize
• step up
• accentuate
• point (up)
• magnify
• supplement
• build up
• boost
• beef (up)
• stress
• reenforce
• amp (up)
• restrengthen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• narrow (down)
• reduce
• constrict
• decrease
• diminish
• tone (down)
• weaken
• lessen
• subdue
• let up (on)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of widen

Things only get less interesting as that love triangles widens into an awkward kind of square, the chiaroscuro splendor of Soderbergh’s cinematography laboring to compensate for a murder-mystery that’s as scattered and impenetrable as Berlin itself. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025

The reach of violent ideological movements has widened to women. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 12 Mar. 2025

According to Oxfam’s Global Wealth Report 2023, global inequality is steadily increasing, with a widening gap between rich and poor. —Luisa Zargani, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025

The first detailed nationwide data on schools’ recovery shows that achievement gaps have widened, with the poorest students the furthest behind. —Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025