WIDENS Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

widens

verb

present tense third-person singular of widen

as in broadens

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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 widens Jackson’s presence widens the method beyond Williams. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026 The Council's 20% test widens that gap and stamps it as compliant. — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 The waiver wire is unforgiving, and the gap between the active and stagnant only widens. — John Laghezza, New York Times, 26 June 2026 That is a loss, on paper, in the optimistic scenario, and if the number of visitors falls short, the gap only widens. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 June 2026 For pedicures the gap widens further, since salon pedicures often carry a premium over manicures. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026 The shoes follow a bold silhouette featuring a sky-high stiletto heel and minimalist upper with an hourglass toe strap that widens toward the side of the foot, creating a peep-toe-like design. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 18 June 2026 Meanwhile, Beijing widens Japan export curbs, targeting drone makers, nuclear firms and defense institutes. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 6 July 2026 In the 1830s the British colonized this area where the mouth of the Yarra River widens into what would be named Port Phillip Bay. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for widens

Verb

The new law also broadens the types of products dispensaries can sell, including gummies, edibles, and vaporized flower.

— Christopher Harris, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Bank stocks are improving from a technical standpoint as market leadership broadens beyond technology.

— Katie Stockton, CNBC, 15 June 2026

Definition of broadens

Verb

The tax law also expands Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in shorter-term workforce training programs.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 June 2026
The temporary rule expands that list to 29 specific degree programs, including master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, and doctor of nurse anesthesia practice.

— Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of expands

Verb

Indeed, the administration’s assault on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act intensifies the damage.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
If employees are expected to produce the same output in less time without better systems in place, the pressure simply intensifies.

— Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Definition of intensifies

Browse Nearby Words

widening

widens

wide-ranging

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Widens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widens. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of widens

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on widens

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes