expand - definition, thesaurus and related words from WordNet-Online

WordNet-Online
Free dictionary and thesaurus of English. Definitions, synonyms, antonyms and more...
Hint: double-click any word to get it searched!

Verb expand has 7 senses

expand, spread out - extend in one or more directions; "The dough expands"
--₁ is one way to grow
Antonyms: shrink, contract
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP
expand - become larger in size or volume or quantity; "his business expanded rapidly"
--₂ is one way to grow
Sample sentence:
Something ----s
expand - make bigger or wider in size, volume, or quantity; "expand the house by adding another wing"
--₃ is one way to enlarge
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
boom, prosper, thrive, get ahead, flourish, expand - grow stronger; "The economy was booming"
--₄ is one way to grow
Sample sentence:
The business is going to expand
inflate, blow up, expand, amplify - exaggerate or make bigger; "The charges were inflated"
--₅ is one way to increase
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
elaborate, lucubrate, expatiate, exposit, enlarge, flesh out, expand, expound, dilate - add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; "She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation"
--₆ is one way to clarify, clear up, elucidate
Antonyms: abridge, foreshorten, abbreviate, shorten, cut, contract, reduce

Derived forms: noun expansion₂, noun expansion₃
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s PP
extend, expand - expand the influence of; "The King extended his rule to the Eastern part of the continent"
--₇ is one way to change, alter, modify
Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s something