LENGTHEN Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of lengthen are extend , 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

Q: When might 'prolong' be a better fit than 'lengthen'?

While the synonyms prolong and lengthen are close in meaning, prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits. // prolonged illness

Q: How are the words 'protract' and 'prolong' related as synonyms of 'lengthen'?

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

lengthen

verb

ˈleŋ(k)-thən

Definition of lengthen

as in to extend

to make longer I had to lengthen the handle of the paint roller in order to reach the top of the wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lengthen contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lengthen are extend, 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 might prolong be a better fit than lengthen?

While the synonyms prolong and lengthen are close in meaning, prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

How are the words protract and prolong related as synonyms of lengthen?

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

protracted litigation

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 lengthen The fund urged debt managers to lengthen maturities, warning that rollover risk could be exacerbated by strategies that replace long-term debt with short-term borrowing on a large scale. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026 During construction, it was lengthened by 39 feet, adding a submarine hangar, a media studio, and a 3-D-printing and robotics laboratory. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 The expansion will lengthen the quay and add 15 cranes, allowing the terminal to handle two large container ships at once and cutting turnaround times by up to half, the company said. — semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Aerohart also lengthens the Aviator's Ember to give users more leverage in plunging the piston. — New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lengthen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthen

Verb

Allen drained it to extend Charlotte’s lead to 20, and then found Dennis Schröder for a high-five as Miami called a timeout.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
L3Harris is pursuing an air-breathing ramjet design intended to improve fuel efficiency and extend engagement distances.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of extend

Verb

Sunday's presidential runoff in Brazil could prolong the career of a political giant—or usher in a new generation of a political dynasty.

— Carrie Kahn, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
Flying with a blood clot is not always prohibited, but prolonged sitting during air travel can increase the risk of blood clots.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of prolong

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

The 49ers scored a touchdown on fourth-and-goal as running back Christian McCaffrey leaped over the pile of linemen and stretched the ball across the goal line, giving San Francisco an early 7-0 lead.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026
More specifically, the Base-01 stretches out over a patch of earthen floor measuring 183 sq ft (17 sq m) – about the same amount of floor as this handsome Ikea tiny home.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of stretch

Verb

Column dresses were fluid at Alberta Ferretti, with cutouts at Christopher Esber, and elongated takes at Fendi.

— Rachael Akhidenor, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
Starting with a scene that feels real and looks real lets McKeown get away with what is otherwise a silly creature feature, elongated but never past the point of enjoyment.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of elongate

Browse Nearby Words

length

lengthen

lengthened

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Lengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthen. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lengthen

verb

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