LENGTHENING Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

lengthening 1 of 2

noun

as in extension

the act of making longer a lengthening of the school year is favored by many of the parents in the school district

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lengthening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lengthen

as in stretching

to make longer I had to lengthen the handle of the paint roller in order to reach the top of the wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 lengthening

Noun

The lengthening of the 18-hole course could exclude even more golfers. — New York Times, 26 June 2026 The solstice signifies the start of winter and also heralds the incremental lengthening of days, symbolizing hope and renewal in many cultures. — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025 Instead, gently encourage the lengthening of your muscles. — Gerard Hartmann, Outside, 3 Nov. 2025 The researchers also searched for molecular signs of a process called alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), a telomere-extending mechanism that doesn’t rely on the usual enzyme, telomerase. — New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2025

Verb

Stein attributed the drop to a lengthening backlog for accounts receivable as Nvidia has loosened payment terms for its many backstopping deals. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 Levi’s 726 High-Rise Flare Jeans The flares on these Levi’s jeans start lower on the leg for a cleaner, lengthening line. — Michelle Rostamian, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026 And among those areas that could face a lengthening drought is the Pacific Northwest because of the way the jet stream moves during El Nino. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The Philadelphia Phillies entered the trade deadline widely expected to pursue a significant upgrade, with much of the speculation centered on adding a right-handed outfielder capable of lengthening the lineup beyond the infield staples. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Most formulas offer the same benefits as the very best mascaras—increasing volume and density, lengthening and separating lashes, etc—and deliver results just as effectively. — Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 3 Aug. 2026 Then Golden State took control down the stretch, lengthening the lead early and scoring 29 points in the fourth to ensure a comfortable final five minutes. — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026 The high waist creates a leg-lengthening effect while the delicate straps and scoop neckline show off more of the shoulders and neck, balancing the longer length. — Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2026 The courts also need lengthening because players are hitting the ball harder. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthening

Noun

This symbolic gesture is a desperate attempt to spark a turnaround for the slugger, whose power outage follows a recent $500 million extension.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Perepadya expressed fear that the automatic extension of Ukraine’s TPS designation will be the country’s last, forcing his family to return home.

— Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of extension

Verb

The seasonal calendar is stretching earlier, chains are competing to own the first sip of autumn, and customers are voting with their orders.

— Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
Once owned by an heir to the Getty oil fortune, a full-floor penthouse atop San Francisco’s Russian Hill with wraparound terraces and views stretching from the Golden Gate Bridge to the downtown skyline is on the market for nearly $20 million.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stretching

Verb

Qantas said demand for international travel remained strong, with both Qantas and its low-cost carrier Jetstar increasing capacity and unit revenue, although higher fuel costs weighed on international earnings.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
His foundation is aiming to spend $200 billion by 2045 with an increasing focus on AI.

— Reuters, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of increasing

Verb

In addition to knowing what fruits and veggies to keep away from one another, keeping your produce stored at cooler temperatures is helpful for prolonging your food as well.

— Molly Burford, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026
Additionally, Oaks Park evacuated the park without providing traffic control, which delayed first responders from being able to enter the park quickly in an emergency, prolonging suffering.

— Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of prolonging

Verb

Part ballerina, part pump, the style combines the gamine energy of your favorite flats with the limb-elongating power of a classic heel.

— Christina Holevas, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
The front pleats add a flattering touch to the leg-elongating wide-leg style, which slightly flares from the knee to the ankle.

— Melony Forcier, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of elongating

Browse Nearby Words

lengthened

lengthening

lengthens

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“Lengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthening. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of lengthening

noun

verb

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