broaden

verb

broad·​en ˈbrȯ-dᵊn How to pronounce broaden (audio)
broadened; broadening ˈbrȯd-niŋ How to pronounce broaden (audio)
ˈbrȯ-dᵊn-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to become broad

Examples of broaden in a Sentence

They need to broaden their understanding of other cultures. The police have broadened the scope of the investigation. Her smile broadened when I told her the good news. The investigation has broadened to include the mayor's staff. His interests broadened to include art and music, not just sports.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Trump undid Obama’s deportation priorities, broadening the pool of immigrants who could be targeted for removal and giving more power to immigration enforcement officers to make those judgments, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024 Related Stories The company said key categories in women’s, men’s and kidswear performed well as product offerings were broadened and deepened, while at the same time expanding the assortment in home and accessories. Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2024 The 150 lumens, the ability to focus or broaden the beam with a simple adjustment, and the easy-swivel mount combine to do a great job lighting up the trail. Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 2 Nov. 2024 In Lebanon, Israel in recent weeks has broadened its strikes to bigger urban hubs, like the town of Baalbek, home to 80,000 people, after initially targeting smaller border villages in the south, where Hezbollah conducts operations. Sally Abou Aljoud and Wafaa Shurafa The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for broaden 

Word History

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of broaden was in 1727

Cite this Entry

“Broaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broaden. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

broaden

verb
broad·​en ˈbrȯd-ᵊn How to pronounce broaden (audio)
broadened; broadening ˈbrȯd-niŋ How to pronounce broaden (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become broad or broader
broaden your horizons
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!