Antonyms for widen
ˈwaɪd nwiden

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. widen

   Amplify is now rarely used in the sense of increase, to add material substance, bulk, volume, or the like; it is now almost wholly applied to discourse or writing, signifying to make fuller in statement, whether with or without adding matter of importance, as by stating fully what was before only implied, or by adding illustrations to make the meaning more readily apprehended, etc. The chief difficulty of very young writers is to amplify, to get beyond the bare curt statement by developing, expanding, unfolding the thought. The chief difficulty of those who have more material and experience is to condense sufficiently. So, in the early days of our literature amplify was used in the favorable sense; but at present this word and most kindred words are coming to share the derogatory meaning that has long attached to expatiate. We may develop a thought, expand an illustration, extend a discussion, expatiate on a hobby, dilate on something joyous or sad, enlarge a volume, unfold a scheme, widen the range of treatment.

   Antonyms:
   abbreviate, abridge, amputate, boil down, condense, curtail, cut down, epitomize, reduce, retrench, sum up, summarize

   Synonyms:
   amplify, augment, develop, dilate, enlarge, expand, expatiate, extend, increase, unfold

   Preposition:
   To amplify on or upon the subject is needless. Amplify this matter by illustrations.

Matched Categories

1. • Alter
   • Change
   • Increase

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. widenverb

   become broader or wider or more extensive

   "The road widened"

   Antonyms:
   contract, narrow

   Synonyms:
   let out, extend, broaden

2. let out, widenverb

   make (clothes) larger

   "Let out that dress--I gained a lot of weight"

   Antonyms:
   narrow, contract

   Synonyms:
   unwrap, divulge, bring out, let loose, give away, expose, broaden, let out, break, emit, extend, reveal, discover, utter, let on, disclose

3. widenverb

   make wider

   "widen the road"

   Antonyms:
   narrow, contract

   Synonyms:
   let out, extend, broaden

4. widen, broaden, extendverb

   extend in scope or range or area

   "The law was extended to all citizens"; "widen the range of applications"; "broaden your horizon"; "Extend your backyard"

   Antonyms:
   narrow, contract

   Synonyms:
   go, unfold, exsert, hold out, branch out, strain, cover, diversify, broaden, draw out, let out, gallop, stretch, stretch out, put out, offer, extend, run, expand, lead, poke out, carry, pass, protract, stretch forth, continue, reach out, prolong

How to use widen in a sentence?

1. Liu Jianwei:

   The average (price) growth of new homes in first-tier cities started to narrow, while it continued to widen in second- and third-tier.

2. Pertamina Chief Executive Dwi Soetjipto:

   We are aware that if we don't fill this gap it will widen.

3. Torsten Hinrichs:

   Our goal is to widen the circle of shareholders, with a focus on Spain, Italy and France.

4. Ava DuVernay:

   The Academy has no power over Hollywood. We have nothing to do with hiring, what we can do, however, is to get them to widen their normal stream of thought.

5. Sal Mercogliano:

   The widening of The Suez Canal is a smart move, the question that I have is if you widen The Suez Canal, then will vessel operators make their vessels bigger ?

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