Synonyms for widen
ˈwaɪd nwiden

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. widen

   Amplify is now rarely used in the sense of increase, to add material substance, bulk, volume, or the like; it is now almost wholly applied to discourse or writing, signifying to make fuller in statement, whether with or without adding matter of importance, as by stating fully what was before only implied, or by adding illustrations to make the meaning more readily apprehended, etc. The chief difficulty of very young writers is to amplify, to get beyond the bare curt statement by developing, expanding, unfolding the thought. The chief difficulty of those who have more material and experience is to condense sufficiently. So, in the early days of our literature amplify was used in the favorable sense; but at present this word and most kindred words are coming to share the derogatory meaning that has long attached to expatiate. We may develop a thought, expand an illustration, extend a discussion, expatiate on a hobby, dilate on something joyous or sad, enlarge a volume, unfold a scheme, widen the range of treatment.

   Synonyms:
   amplify, augment, develop, dilate, enlarge, expand, expatiate, extend, increase, unfold

   Antonyms:
   abbreviate, abridge, amputate, boil down, condense, curtail, cut down, epitomize, reduce, retrench, sum up, summarize

   Preposition:
   To amplify on or upon the subject is needless. Amplify this matter by illustrations.

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. widenverb

   become broader or wider or more extensive

   "The road widened"

   Synonyms:
   let out, extend, broaden

   Antonyms:
   contract, narrow

2. let out, widenverb

   make (clothes) larger

   "Let out that dress--I gained a lot of weight"

   Synonyms:
   unwrap, divulge, bring out, let loose, give away, expose, broaden, let out, break, emit, extend, reveal, discover, utter, let on, disclose

   Antonyms:
   narrow, contract

3. widenverb

   make wider

   "widen the road"

   Synonyms:
   let out, extend, broaden

   Antonyms:
   narrow, contract

4. widen, broaden, extendverb

   extend in scope or range or area

   "The law was extended to all citizens"; "widen the range of applications"; "broaden your horizon"; "Extend your backyard"

   Synonyms:
   go, unfold, exsert, hold out, branch out, strain, cover, diversify, broaden, draw out, let out, gallop, stretch, stretch out, put out, offer, extend, run, expand, lead, poke out, carry, pass, protract, stretch forth, continue, reach out, prolong

   Antonyms:
   narrow, contract

Matched Categories

1. • Alter
   • Change
   • Increase

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "widen":

   expand, broaden, extend, enlarge, expanding, dig, broadening, increase, extending, expanded

How to pronounce widen?

How to say widen in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use widen in a sentence?

1. Trip Pittman:

   Let’s be frank, Donald Trump would not be president, I don’t believe, without Jeff Sessions … And when Jeff Sessions stood up, Jeff Sessions gave Donald Trump the conservative credentials Jeff Sessions needed to widen Jeff Sessions base to a point where Jeff Sessions could win the presidency.

2. Duncan Aldred:

   We just want to widen our consumer base out, there are plenty of opportunities.

3. Kyle Bowser:

   We do have an underlying mission, and ours is to broaden the scope, widen the lens, if you will, in the critique and the evaluation of what excellence looks like.

4. Niels Lammerts van Bueren:

   The deal is so big that there are not enough arbitragers that can keep the spread in a tight ranges, i don't think anyone wants to go into the arbitrage too big so the spread could widen further.

5. Tim Huxley:

   It reflects concern about what's happening in the South China Sea and its need to restructure and re-arm, with a greater emphasis on greater naval and air capability, it wants to widen options available and have more choices in the international market place in terms of range of technology and its negotiating position.