expanded 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of expandednext
as in blown up

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expanded

2 of 2

verb

past tense of expand
1
as in developed
to express more fully and in greater detail an article on the First Ladies that the author later expanded into a book

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in increased
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

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3
as in extended
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

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4
as in accelerated
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number water expands when it becomes frozen

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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 expanded
Verb
But the lead quickly expanded in the second half, thanks to a 15-0 run by Charlotte, which lasted nearly three minutes and was capped off by Allen’s three-pointer. — Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026 Development began in the 1970s, and the system became operational for military use before civilian access expanded. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 Desperate for a rebound after his worst finish of the Chase, the defending series champion expanded his points lead by a wide margin with a breathtaking rally from 11th to first on the final lap. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 Our streaming subscription service CNN All Access this week expanded internationally to Canada and the UK. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 The iPhone maker also expanded its partnership with Qnity , which will produce advanced films for the 18 Pro's new camera system. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026 That capability expanded to agriculture and meteorological purposes, eventually making Earth observation one of the most common reasons satellites and space stations are deployed into orbit today. — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Trump has vastly expanded ICE to ramp up deportations of immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, and the agency was a major part of last year’s law-enforcement surge in the Chicago area known as Operation Midway Blitz. — Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Open Doors Foundation, which began operations in 2025 and quickly expanded before running into zoning and code issues at multiple properties this year, has sought to remain open at 3221 Independence Avenue, its original location. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expanded
  1. distended
  2. developed
  3. increased
  4. extended
  5. accelerated
  6. swollen
  7. augmented
  8. opened
Adjective
  • Fiber slows gastric emptying, making the stomach more distended.
    — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 27 May 2026
  • The distended episodes were littered with what feels like filler, little of which offered much in the way of narrative value.
    — Emma Flint, IndieWire, 25 Nov. 2025
Definition of distended
Verb
  • Next, the researchers developed a simplified model that reproduced the observed rotation and current increase.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • How Richard Branson inspired Tan-Gillespie’s career ethos As Tan-Gillespie’s career developed, so did her aspirations.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of developed
Verb
  • During a July 27 Highfill Water and Sewer Committee meeting, Kahrl reported the number of active water meters in the city increased from 2,077 to 2,285 over 12 months.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • More recently, the evolution of AI has increased the ease with which these websites can be populated with content, eliminating the need to pay writers and automating the production of social media posts.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of increased
Verb
  • The Biden administration subsequently extended the designation, most recently in January 2025, when DHS authorized an additional 18 months of protection through October 2026.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The next sheriff’s election will not be held until 2028 because of a change in state law that extended his term from four years to six.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of extended
Verb
  • The vehicle then accelerated forward, and Foster moved directly in front of it with his gun drawn.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The focus on fraud has noticeably accelerated in the weeks leading up to the election.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of accelerated
Adjective
  • As the cooling metal tool depuffs swollen tissues and stimulates microcirculation, the peptide-rich cream works beneath the surface to rebuild structural volume.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In addition, her arms were left swollen, blistered and bruised from the lethal injection drugs.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of swollen
Verb
  • The vaccine augmented the monoclonal antibody treatment pembrolizumab in the Phase 3 INTerpath-001 trial, reducing cancer recurrence or death by 42% compared with pembrolizumab alone.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Gradually, contributions from nuclear fission and solar-, water-, and wind-power have augmented our supply.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of augmented
Verb
  • In 2009, when the meatpacking plants that gave the area its name still operated, The Standard, commissioned by hotelier Andre Balasz, opened to immediate buzz.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Proceedings opened this week in a case that’s shone a spotlight on Japan’s treatment of juvenile suspects.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of opened

Browse Nearby Words

expand
expanded
expanding
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Cite this Entry

“Expanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expanded. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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