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. Akeem Diaz:

   I get we’re in the middle of a pandemic, and I get that people are going through financial crises you know with the wealth gap continuing to widen. But she wasn’t in there stealing necessities. She was trying to steal to get cute.

2. Henry Peabody:

   The challenge today is that when (bond) credit spreads widen, they do so quickly, you have to be ready to jump on it.

3. Michael Shapiro:

   Larger new-issue premiums impact future bond pricing to a greater extent than we have seen in the past, due to the illiquidity in the secondary market, the existing secondary curve can widen because of a larger new-issue premium and the result is wider pricing points when an issuer or one of its peers seeks to return to the market.

4. Ava DuVernay:

   The Academy has no power over Hollywood. We have nothing to do with hiring, what we can do, however, is to get them to widen their normal stream of thought.

5. Isaac Herzog:

   Netanyahu remains alone and Israel remains isolated, the speech therefore caused damage of the utmost severity in relations with the United States ... and will only widen the rift with our great friend and our only strategic ally.