extensive

adjective

ex·​ten·​sive ik-ˈsten(t)-siv How to pronounce extensive (audio)
Synonyms of extensivenext
1
: having wide or considerable extent
extensive reading
2
: extensional
3
: of, relating to, or constituting farming in which large areas of land are utilized with minimum outlay and labor
extensively adverb
extensiveness noun

Synonyms of extensive

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Examples of extensive in a Sentence

The storm caused extensive damage. an extensive series of tests
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Israel launched a ground invasion following an extensive aerial bombardment of Hamas’s military infrastructure, including its vast network of subterranean tunnels. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026 Trump had brought unsuccessful lawsuits alleging extensive fraud by Fulton County election officials in the 2020 Presidential election. — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026 Criminal past Somoza had an extensive criminal history before being charged in her daughter’s death. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 This approach could help address a central challenge in airborne early warning, which is providing extensive detection coverage without relying on a small number of large, expensive platforms. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extensive

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of extensive was in 1605

Rhymes for extensive

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Browse Nearby Words

extensity
extensive
extensivity
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Cite this Entry

“Extensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extensive. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

extensive

adjective
ex·​ten·​sive ik-ˈsten(t)-siv How to pronounce extensive (audio)
: having wide or large extent
extensively adverb
extensiveness noun
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