ENLARGE Synonyms: 150 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'enlarge' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enlarge are augment , increase , and multiply . While all these words mean "to make or become greater," enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity. // enlarged the kitchen

Q: In what contexts can 'augment' take the place of 'enlarge'?

Although the words augment and enlarge have much in common, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed. // the inheritance augmented his fortune

Q: When might 'increase' be a better fit than 'enlarge'?

The words increase and enlarge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition. // his waistline increased with age // increased her landholdings

Q: Where would 'multiply' be a reasonable alternative to 'enlarge'?

While in some cases nearly identical to enlarge , multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process. // with each attempt the problems multiplied

enlarge

verb

in-ˈlärj

Definition of enlarge

as in to increase

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number as the number of people with cell phones enlarges, more transmission towers will have to be built

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to expand

to make greater in size, amount, or number with a new member of the family on the way, maybe we should consider enlarging the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to liberate

to set free (as from slavery or confinement) like a wild animal enlarged from a leghold trap, the freed prisoner raced about

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb enlarge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enlarge are augment, increase, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

In what contexts can augment take the place of enlarge?

Although the words augment and enlarge have much in common, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When might increase be a better fit than enlarge?

The words increase and enlarge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

his waistline increased with age

increased her landholdings

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to enlarge?

While in some cases nearly identical to enlarge, multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

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 enlarge Duncaster is the latest in a series of similar Connecticut organizations to look to enlarge its independent living offerings. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026 With the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, William made a final push to repair and enlarge it. — Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 Efforts to enlarge and sharpen blurry name tags often failed. — Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026 Globe lamps use enlarged, globe-shape bulbs to light up a space. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enlarge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlarge

Verb

Kim Hong-Cheol, the South Korean military official, said leaving the dispute over the military demarcation line unresolved would increase the risk of accidental clashes because troops from both sides act on their own understanding of the line.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
As rain chances increase overnight, the temperature will drop to 40 degrees.

— Hali Smith October 23, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

An interceptor that can engage targets at greater distances could expand the area protected by existing air defense units.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Founded by three childhood friends, Olivier Bon, Pierre-Charles Cros, and Romée de Gorianoff, who were later joined by Xavier Padovani, the Experimental Group gradually expanded to encompass wine bars, restaurants, and boutique hotels.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

Technology can liberate your scrappy plants from overcrowded window boxes, and put a micro-farm in your kitchen.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
This action would have triggered a kilonova while also liberating a lot of material, stuff that would take its time falling onto the black hole and fueling longer jets.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of liberate

Verb

A couple of sections in the shade, on the home sideline, rose a bit more than 3%.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
But then shipping disruptions, rising fuel costs, and steep international tariffs made exporting increasingly difficult, prompting Yu to turn her attention to building a domestic market.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

The car can accelerate from zero-60 in less than a second and perform feats that once belonged in science fiction.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
The company says the changes are intended to make electric vehicles more affordable while accelerating development and manufacturing.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of accelerate

Verb

Paying down high-interest debt frees up more room in the budget.

— Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
On top of that, the number of French army soldiers that normally patrol Paris as part of the country’s counter-terrorism measures will be increased to free the police from stationary guard duties.

— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of free

Verb

Engineers trying to support swelling AI workloads, video streaming, and cloud services often add thicker cables with more fiber pairs.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Hedge fund assets swell With gross assets now standing at about $13 trillion, hedge funds have become an increasingly important part of the global investor landscape, the IMF said on Tuesday.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of swell

Verb

To prepare for this week’s storms, the Los Angeles Fire Department has augmented resources to help with swift-water rescues and mud and debris flows, with a specific focus on burn scar areas, according to a news release from Mayor Karen Bass.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Trump’s flexible realism also entails recognizing the need to form bespoke coalitions of the willing to augment the United Nations and other large multilateral institutions.

— Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of augment

Browse Nearby Words

enlacing

enlarge

enlarged

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Style

“Enlarge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlarge. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of enlarge

verb

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Synonyms of enlarge

verb

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What does 'at large' mean?

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