as in blown up
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Dissimilar Words
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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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
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026 California expanded free transitional kindergarten to all 4-year-olds this school year. —Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 Randy Goldstein opened the Compact Disk Shoppe in 1992 and later expanded to house his insurance brokerage next door. —Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 Opened in January, the shop is the latest venture from Manolo Betancur and his wife, Leidy Ospina, who expanded into the space next to Manolo’s Bakery to create something more than just a coffee shop. —Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026 Last year, the production tax credit was expanded and extended to 2039. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026 As Hollywood’s presence in Illinois grows, state lawmakers last year expanded the film and TV subsidy program to include the uplift. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026 The window displays that became a signature feature of the Herald Square store spread to cities across the country and Macy's influence expanded. —Randy Tucker, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 As the program expanded, children were welcomed into foster homes in Miami and elsewhere – some as far away as New York and the Midwest. —Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
What began seven years ago as a freewheeling alt-country outlet for Max Bottner, formerly of Indiana egg-punks Liquids and the anarchist hardcore band Side Action, eventually expanded to a full band. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026 California expanded free transitional kindergarten to all 4-year-olds this school year. —Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 Randy Goldstein opened the Compact Disk Shoppe in 1992 and later expanded to house his insurance brokerage next door. —Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 Opened in January, the shop is the latest venture from Manolo Betancur and his wife, Leidy Ospina, who expanded into the space next to Manolo’s Bakery to create something more than just a coffee shop. —Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026 Last year, the production tax credit was expanded and extended to 2039. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026 As Hollywood’s presence in Illinois grows, state lawmakers last year expanded the film and TV subsidy program to include the uplift. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026 The window displays that became a signature feature of the Herald Square store spread to cities across the country and Macy's influence expanded. —Randy Tucker, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 As the program expanded, children were welcomed into foster homes in Miami and elsewhere – some as far away as New York and the Midwest. —Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expanded
Verb
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In her time working in the Bon Appétit and Epicurious Test Kitchen, Zaynab Issa developed almost 100 recipes.— Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026
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Researchers at Harvard have developed a fleet of robotic ants that mimic the self-organizing behavior of social insects to build and dismantle structures without blueprints or central leadership.— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On the other hand, planting the wrong neighbors next to garlic can lead to altered flavors, stunted growth, increased susceptibility to pests, and decreased production.— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
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But having one of the game’s fastest players start at second base in the bottom of the 10th gave the Cubs an advantage, which increased after Caleb Thielbar pitched a scoreless top of the 10th.— Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, after getting completely smothered over the past two nights, the Red Sox offense jolted to life in the second inning and took advantage of a defensive miscue that extended the inning.— Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
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There were two errors and two hits that extended the second inning and Snell was pulled after throwing 32 pitches in all.— Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At Cedarvale Winery in Logan Township, New Jersey, fourth-generation farmer Ed Gaventa said early warmth has also accelerated growth in his vineyards — raising concerns as temperatures drop.— Eva Andersen, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
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With the 20-shop agreement, RBH qualifies for the brand’s 50/50 Large Area Developer Incentive Program, an initiative designed to support franchise partners committed to accelerated and multi-unit growth.— Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Once per act, a second duo crashes in on Didi and Gogo, providing the tramps’ power balance with a lurid, distended foil.— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The visuals are augmented by movement of the seating as well as special effects with mist and smells.— Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
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Within weeks, Ponson augmented his tasks as a fishing boat captain with a part-time job at Celebration Church in New Orleans.— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Crochet opened the fifth at 60 pitches and got two quick strikeouts before leadoff man Jahmai Jones’ solo homer gave Detroit a 2-1 lead.— Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
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This is not the first time Denver Book Society owner Rich Garvin has been involved in a disagreement over the new store’s name – a book swap organization started in 2022 called the Denver Book Swap Society also shared concerns about the similar names before Garvin’s store opened in February.— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Aromatic garlic deters many rose pests, including aphids, spider mites, Japanese beetles, and deer.— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
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The away fans rose to salute their team with warm applause and chants of support.— James McNicholas, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/expanded. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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