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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of lengthening
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
Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Along with leg-lengthening jeans and walkable but cute footwear, one of the easiest items to add into your spring rotation is a basic button-up shirt.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
The lengthening deployments come as Ukrainian commanders in other units have warned of personnel issues, acknowledging that the army will never match the manpower of Russia’s far larger military force.
—Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Adams expressed hopes that any potential litigation and other ongoing disputes can be resolved without further lengthening the project timeline.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Cuts to federal Medi-Cal financing will destabilize public hospitals, lengthening emergency room waits and reducing services.
—Susan Ellenberg, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Before the start of the Iran war in late February, China's lead in clean technologies was lengthening.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
Start Early and Plant into Fall Maximize your small space by lengthening your growing season.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
These stretchy, flattering jeans come in a range of washes that are both leg-lengthening and easy to move around in.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
The same instinct shows up in the lifestyle creator influencer accent, characterized by uptalk and the lengthening and extra stressing on words.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Along with leg-lengthening jeans and walkable but cute footwear, one of the easiest items to add into your spring rotation is a basic button-up shirt.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
The lengthening deployments come as Ukrainian commanders in other units have warned of personnel issues, acknowledging that the army will never match the manpower of Russia’s far larger military force.
—Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Adams expressed hopes that any potential litigation and other ongoing disputes can be resolved without further lengthening the project timeline.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Cuts to federal Medi-Cal financing will destabilize public hospitals, lengthening emergency room waits and reducing services.
—Susan Ellenberg, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Before the start of the Iran war in late February, China's lead in clean technologies was lengthening.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
Start Early and Plant into Fall Maximize your small space by lengthening your growing season.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
These stretchy, flattering jeans come in a range of washes that are both leg-lengthening and easy to move around in.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lengthening
Noun
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Trump could also give himself a 30-day extension to continue operations.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This extension of Josh's sentence comes at the same time that his fourth, and final, appeal of his 2021 conviction is working its way through the courts.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For a century, the 2,448 mile road stretching across eight states and three time zones has been synonymous with mom-and-pop diners and America’s Heartland.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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Olivia Rodrigo has announced North American and European tour dates stretching from the fall into 2027.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The plan, conveyed through mediators in Pakistan to break a stalemate with Washington, calls for extending the ceasefire so the parties can work toward a permanent end to the fighting, Axios said.—
Jon Herskovitz,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
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Vargas then homered to left field, extending the lead to 8-5.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These organizations, striving to fill the information gap created by the state government’s increasing drift toward secrecy — can’t rely on taxpayers to pay their bills.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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These changes were to be achieved by increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables, decreasing the consumption of meat and eggs, and substituting nonfat milk for whole milk.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These dynamic risks are prolonging inflation and complicating the path for central banks, which may need to keep interest rates higher for longer to contain price pressures.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Peace talks have stalled ahead of the war’s two-month mark, prolonging oil disruptions and stoking higher gas prices around the world.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The vertical navy stripe pattern is classic and elongating, with a pop of color in the green-and-yellow collar accent that keeps it feeling fresh.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
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Channel Oprah’s elongating look by pairing the jeans with a denim jacket in the same wash.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lengthening. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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