Synonyms for lengthen
ˈlɛŋk θən, ˈlɛŋ-, ˈlɛn-length·en

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:3.0 / 2 votes

1. lengthenverb

   Antonyms:
   shorten

2. lengthenverb

   Antonyms:
   shorten

3. lengthenverb

   Antonyms:
   shorten

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. lengthen

   To protract is to cause to occupy a longer time than is usual, expected, or desirable. We defer a negotiation which we are slow to enter upon; we protract a negotiation which we are slow to conclude; delay may be used of any stage in the proceedings; we may delay a person as well as an action, but defer and protract are not used of persons. Elongate is not used of actions or abstractions, but only of material objects or extension in space; protract is very rarely used of concrete objects or extension in space; we elongate a line, protract a discussion. Protract has usually an unfavorable sense, implying that the matter referred to is already unduly long, or would be so if longer continued; continue is neutral, applying equally to the desirable or the undesirable. Postpone implies a definite intention to resume, as defer also does, though less decidedly; both are often used with some definite limitation of time; as, to postpone till, until, or to a certain day or hour. One may defer, delay, or postpone a matter intelligently and for good reason; he procrastinates through indolence and irresolution. Compare HINDER.

   Synonyms:
   continue, defer, delay, draw out, elongate, extend, postpone, procrastinate, prolong, protract

   Antonyms:
   abbreviate, abridge, conclude, contract, curtail, hasten, hurry, limit, reduce, shorten

   Preposition:
   To protract a speech by verbosity, through an unreasonable time, to, till, or until a late hour.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. lengthen

   Synonyms:
   elongate, stretch out, prolong

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. lengthenverb

   make longer

   "Lengthen this skirt, please"

   Antonyms:
   shorten

2. lengthenverb

   become long or longer

   "In Spring, the days lengthen"

   Antonyms:
   shorten

Matched Categories

1. • Grow
   • Increase

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. lengthenverb

   Synonyms:
   elongate, extend (in space), stretch, draw out

2. lengthenverb

   Synonyms:
   protract, continue, prolong, extend (in time), spin out

3. lengthenverb

   Synonyms:
   become longer, grow longer, increase in length

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. lengthenverb

   Synonyms:
   extend, elongate, stretch, prolong, protract, expatiate, amplify

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "lengthen":

   prolong, extend

How to pronounce lengthen?

How to say lengthen in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use lengthen in a sentence?

1. Ryan Pack:

   The Grocery Store Method: I want you to think of it like this: Everytime you adopt a child you shorten the checkout line and your one step closer to world peace, and everytime you have a biological child you lengthen the checkout line and your one step farther from world peace.

2. Cullen Hightower:

   Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life. Laughing at someone else's can shorten it.

3. Benjamin Franklin:

   To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals.

4. Ryan Goodwin:

   The new device has a magnetic actuator, so it’s an expandable rod so once it’s implanted it’s not necessary to go back in with another operation to lengthen it, simply using a magnetic actuator can actually lengthen the rods slowly through the patient’s skin without having to do an operation.

5. Gary Peters:

   Despite my serious reservations, I will reluctantly vote against a motion of disapproval because I believe that doing so will protect the credibility of the United States to hold Iran accountable to adhere to every single obligation in the [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action], having talked to the technical experts who will be involved with the implementation of this agreement, I have come to the conclusion that its many overlapping provisions will make it exceedingly difficult for the Iranians to build a nuclear weapon in the short term and will lengthen the time required should they choose to break their commitments and try to build one in the future.