widened; widening
ˈwīd-niŋ 
ˈwī-dᵊn-iŋ
: to increase the width, scope, or extent of
widen a road
widen an investigation
: to become wide or wider
a widening gap
Examples of widen in a Sentence
The city is going to widen the road.
They plan to widen the investigation.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
They went swimming at a spot where the river widens.
The scope of the investigation has widened.
Recent Examples on the Web
The first detailed nationwide data on schools’ recovery shows that achievement gaps have widened, with the poorest students the furthest behind.
—
Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
More than 50,000 Russian troops have deserted and gone absent without leave since Russia widened its war on Ukraine three years ago, according to a new report from Ukrainian analysis group Frontelligence Insight.
—David Axe, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
His role requires him to network, widen his industry knowledge, and build long-term relationships.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
If anything, the political divide has only widened in the weeks since Trump — and Slotkin — took office.
—Don Gonyea, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for widen
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.
Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
More than 50,000 Russian troops have deserted and gone absent without leave since Russia widened its war on Ukraine three years ago, according to a new report from Ukrainian analysis group Frontelligence Insight.
—David Axe, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
His role requires him to network, widen his industry knowledge, and build long-term relationships.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
If anything, the political divide has only widened in the weeks since Trump — and Slotkin — took office.
—Don Gonyea, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for widen
Cite this Entry
“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widen. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share