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Widen: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

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26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives
90,593 searchable synonym connections
350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type
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Widen

To make wide or wider; to extend in breadth; to increase the width of; as, to widen a field; to widen a breach; to widen a stocking.

55 useful connections shown 20 reviewed relationships and 35 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Verb group 4

Expand 84% connected

To lay open by extending; to open wide; to spread out; to diffuse; as, a flower expands its leaves.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet groups these verbs by closely related meaning.

Expand 84% connected

To lay open by extending; to open wide; to spread out; to diffuse; as, a flower expands its leaves.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet groups these verbs by closely related meaning.

Extend 84% connected

To stretch out; to prolong in space; to carry forward or continue in length; as, to extend a line in surveying; to extend a cord across the street.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet groups these verbs by closely related meaning.

Extend 84% connected

To stretch out; to prolong in space; to carry forward or continue in length; as, to extend a line in surveying; to extend a cord across the street.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet groups these verbs by closely related meaning.

Broader term 4

Alter 76% connected

To make otherwise; to change in some respect, either partially or wholly; to vary; to modify.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Change 76% connected

To alter; to make different; to cause to pass from one state to another; as, to change the position, character, or appearance of a thing; to change t…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Increase 76% connected

To become greater or more in size, quantity, number, degree, value, intensity, power, authority, reputation, wealth; to grow; to augment; to advance;…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Modify 76% connected

To change somewhat the form or qualities of; to alter somewhat; as, to modify a contrivance adapted to some mechanical purpose; to modify the terms o…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Manner of action 6

Broaden 76% connected

To grow broad; to become broader or wider.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Dilate 76% connected

To expand; to distend; to enlarge or extend in all directions; to swell; -- opposed to contract; as, the air dilates the lungs; air is dilated by inc…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Distend 76% connected

To extend in some one direction; to lengthen out; to stretch.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Flare 76% connected

To burn with an unsteady or waving flame; as, the candle flares.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Stretch 76% connected

To reach out; to extend; to put forth.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Territorialize 76% connected

To enlarge by extension of territory.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Derivationally related 2

Synonym 2

Broaden 92% connected

To grow broad; to become broader or wider.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Extend 92% connected

To stretch out; to prolong in space; to carry forward or continue in length; as, to extend a line in surveying; to extend a cord across the street.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Antonym 2

Contract 94% connected

To draw together or nearer; to reduce to a less compass; to shorten, narrow, or lessen; as, to contract one's sphere of action.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records these words as lexical opposites.

Contract 94% connected

To draw together or nearer; to reduce to a less compass; to shorten, narrow, or lessen; as, to contract one's sphere of action.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records these words as lexical opposites.

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Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.