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
Along with expanding viewing options, the sport is widening its race schedule and the number of locations.
—
Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Wildfires are a natural part of Southern California’s landscape, but more people are crowding into areas that are primed to burn, and the danger zones are widening.
—Umair Irfan, Wired News, 19 July 2025
Additionally, valuations in the U.S. equity market remain stretched, economic growth is expected to soften, the federal deficit is set to widen, and geopolitical risks remain.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 18 July 2025
The last phase of the project would be to widen portions of Waverly Road between U.S. 12 and State Park Road.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for widen
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Wildfires are a natural part of Southern California’s landscape, but more people are crowding into areas that are primed to burn, and the danger zones are widening.
—Umair Irfan, Wired News, 19 July 2025
Additionally, valuations in the U.S. equity market remain stretched, economic growth is expected to soften, the federal deficit is set to widen, and geopolitical risks remain.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 18 July 2025
The last phase of the project would be to widen portions of Waverly Road between U.S. 12 and State Park Road.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 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 22 Jul. 2025.
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