enlarge

1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb enlarge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enlarge are augment, increase, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

In what contexts can augment take the place of enlarge?

Although the words augment and enlarge have much in common, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When might increase be a better fit than enlarge?

The words increase and enlarge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

his waistline increased with age
increased her landholdings

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to enlarge?

While in some cases nearly identical to enlarge, multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

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 enlarge Located just south of the landmark American Brewery (the structure that looks like some fantasist vastly enlarged a cuckoo clock) this grouping of public utility structures fell on excruciatingly hard times. Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2025 This additional content offered for purchase enlarges the base game and offers different clothes, hairstyles, items and worlds for people to explore. Gregory Wakeman, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025 With time running out, the planners took a smaller street grid from 15 or so years earlier and simply enlarged it to cover the rest of Manhattan island. The Upshot Staff, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024 Big names from class struggles past Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, both scions of an old and prosperous Dutch dynasty in New York, enlarged their vision and political prospects by transcending allegiance to their economic caste. Ron Elving, NPR, 1 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlarge
Verb
  • Tariffs of this magnitude would likely increase prices paid by U.S. shoppers, since importers typically pass along a share of the cost of those higher taxes to consumers, experts said.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Accordingly, with no viable domestic production alternative, prices for end-users would increase.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Universal has expanded the number of magic locations for the wands to five new areas within Wizarding World.
    Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025
  • These actions are leaving the U.S. vulnerable despite years of evidence that Russia is committed to continuing and expanding its cyber efforts, according to Liana Keesing, campaigns manager for technology reform at Issue One, a nonprofit that has studied technology’s impact on democracy.
    David Klepper, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In the fall, massive interest in the Menendez case and freeing the brothers erupted following the runaway success of Ryan Murphy‘s Netflix limited seroes Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story.
    Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The man who ordered the attack was recently freed in the ceasefire-hostages deal.
    Zeena Saifi, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With inflation high and interest rates rising, the outlook is bleak for many Americans.
    Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The personal savings rate also spiked higher, rising to 4.6%.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • If an earlier breakthrough occurs: Should a major quantum attack capability emerge earlier than expected, the bitcoin community can accelerate the above timeline.
    Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • However, this has accelerated in recent weeks with the administration punishing the Associated Press for editorial decisions and attacking reporters by name.
    Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Artist and rapper Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter, herself formerly incarcerated and commissioned to create a new work for the Rikers women, worked with Ringgold, politicians, artists, philanthropists, and corrections officers to liberate the original painting.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Tragically, Hunt notes, the same global commodity that may have helped liberate British women did the opposite for West Africans, who endured the Middle Passage in ever larger numbers to work as slaves in the Caribbean sugar fields and sweeten English tea.
    Marjoleine Kars, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Cold exposure is particularly helpful for those who have irritable skin through the constriction of blood vessels, alleviating swelling and flushes.
    Lucy Notarantonio, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Tannins swelling the structure and acidity bathing the flavors.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Conrad called steel guitarist Justin Schipper in to augment the band the next day at The Smoakstack, a studio loaded with guitars — and ceramic figures — in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood.
    Tom Roland, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Possibilities include accelerating drug discovery, augmenting preclinical or clinical research, predicting potential product quality issues and optimizing testing protocols.
    Aman Wasan, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enlarge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlarge. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on enlarge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!