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

\/\/ enlarged<\/em> the kitchen<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'augment' take the place of 'enlarge'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words augment<\/em><\/a> and enlarge<\/em> have much in common, augment<\/em> implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.<\/p>

\/\/ the inheritance augmented<\/em> his fortune<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'increase' be a better fit than 'enlarge'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ his waistline increased<\/em> with age<\/p>

\/\/ increased<\/em> her landholdings<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'multiply' be a reasonable alternative to 'enlarge'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to enlarge<\/em>, multiply<\/em><\/a> implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.<\/p>

\/\/ with each attempt the problems multiplied<\/em><\/p>" } } ] }

Definition of enlargenext
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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 The Horsebit is slightly enlarged for a more dramatic effect. Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026 And if a person taps an item in the menu bar at the top of the screen, the set of controls will enlarge to be more easily selectable with a finger. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026 The agency – while still enlarging its footprint across the country – may adopt more targeted, less public tactics going forward, according to reporting by CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez. Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026 Throughout the day, the below freezing temperatures meant the ice continued to enlarge and expand. Robert Annis, Outside, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enlarge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlarge
Verb
  • Call-out rates have increased at some airports, leading to longer screening times for many passengers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • As temperatures swell, so too does the cooling demand which can increase the strain on the power grid of an entire region.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • While the senator comes to the position after more than a dozen years in Congress, and with the management experience of running an expanding family plumbing business in Oklahoma, he has not been seen as a key force in immigration issues.
    Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026
  • When that happens, Stanley hopes the itinerary will expand beyond Dilworth, NoDa and Plaza Midwood.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Her life as portrayed on Mormon Wives is that of a loose cannon who struggles to liberate herself from toxic romantic entanglements, running directly counter to The Bachelor’s fantasy of happily-ever-after.
    Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Seven years ago the show’s season-two finale ended with Bonnie (Zoë Kravitz) turning herself in for pushing Perry down the stairs and the Monterey Five finally being liberated from their big lie.
    Natasha Reda, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In the meantime, the Bay Area will stay dry on Thursday with a notable warming trend as temperatures rise back into the 80s across the interior, with a more muted warmup (into the 70s) closer to the water.
    Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • According to the South China Morning Post, the China Ship Scientific Research Centre in Wuxi is accelerating its timeline to dominate deep-sea tourism.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The award also honors schools across the state that are accelerating academic progress for two or more groups that have been historically underserved.
    Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Betrayed and with no recourse through legal channels, Yuta is plunged into a single harrowing night fighting through layers of organized crime to free his teenage sister from a trafficking network.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
  • We should be freed of having to have our camera upright all the time.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Airport conditions have become increasingly unpredictable with swelling crowds seen in major hubs.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The 82nd, which is based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, could join the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as potential ground forces swell into the region.
    Steven Beynon, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This was the first Dragon launch from SLC-40 since the addition of a crew access arm to support Dragon launches from more than one Space Coast pad and augment normal launches from KSC’s Launch Pad 39-A.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Even though it has long been known that Russia engages in censorship of its citizens, recent experiments in Moscow are raising fears that the Russian government is augmenting its information blockade.
    Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enlarge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlarge. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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