Enlarge (verb)

Meaning & Definition of Enlarge

to make larger, extend
to give greater scope to, expand
to set free

Enlarge (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number

"as the number of people with cell phones enlarges, more transmission towers will have to be built"

similar: accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon, climb, escalate, expand, gain, increase, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax

related: jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge, heighten, intensify, redouble, blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up), crescendo, crest, peak

opposite: contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane
to make greater in size, amount, or number

"with a new member of the family on the way, maybe we should consider enlarging the house"

similar: accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, compound, escalate, expand, extend, hype, increase, multiply, pump up, raise, stoke, supersize, swell, up

related: boom, jump, skyrocket, spike, bump (up), ratchet (up), blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch, develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, complement, supplement, beef (up), reinforce, strengthen, maximize, accumulate, amass, collect, follow up, parlay

opposite: abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)

near: abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, compress, condense, constrict, contract, cut back, retrench
to set free (as from slavery or confinement)

"like a wild animal enlarged from a leghold trap, the freed prisoner raced about"

similar: discharge, disenthrall, emancipate, enfranchise, free, liberate, loose, loosen, manumit, release, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter, turn loose

related: bail (out), deliver, parole, ransom, redeem, rescue, save, disembarrass, disencumber, disengage, disentangle, extricate, unshackle

opposite: bind, confine, enchain, fetter, restrain

near: handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel, commit, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, lock (up), conquer, enslave, subdue, subjugate

Related Entry: Enlarge (on or upon) (verb)

Enlarge (on or upon) is a different word from Enlarge. The synonyms below are for enlarge (on or upon), not for enlarge.

to express more fully and in greater detail

"in your complaint, don't just say that your neighbor has been harassing you; enlarge on what you mean by that"

similar: amplify, develop, dilate (on or upon), elaborate (on), expand, flesh (out)

related: add (to), complement, supplement, discourse, expatiate, ramble, run on

opposite: abbreviate, abridge, condense, shorten

near: compress, contract, outline, summarize, sum up

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Enlarge

The most common words with a similar meaning to Enlarge:

accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon, climb, escalate, expand, gain, increase, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, compound, extend, hype, pump up, raise, stoke, supersize, up, discharge, disenthrall, emancipate, enfranchise, free

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Enlarge

Words with the opposite meaning of Enlarge:

contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane, abate, de-escalate, downsize, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from), bind, confine, enchain, fetter, restrain

Related Words for Enlarge

jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge, heighten, intensify, redouble, blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up), crescendo, crest, peak, spike, bump (up), ratchet (up), dilate, draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch, develop, enhance, magnify, complement

Near Antonyms of Enlarge

abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, compress, condense, constrict, cut back, retrench, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel, commit, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, lock (up), conquer, enslave, subdue, subjugate

Word Forms of Enlarge

Inflections: enlarged, enlarging

Derived words: enlargeable (adjective), enlarger (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Enlarge

Middle English, from Anglo-French enlarger, enlargir, from en- + large broad, large

First known use: 14th centuryt

Words & Phrases Containing Enlarge

enlarge on/upon

Frequently Asked Questions about Enlarge

What does "Enlarge" mean?

"Enlarge" means to make larger, extend. As a verb, it is defined as: to make larger, extend. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Enlarge"?

Other words for "Enlarge" include accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon and climb. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Enlarge" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Enlarge"?

There are 103 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Enlarge". Common alternatives include accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon, climb, escalate and expand.

What is the opposite of "Enlarge"?

Antonyms of "Enlarge" include contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane and abate. Near antonyms include abbreviate, abridge, curtail and shorten.

How do you use "Enlarge" in a sentence?

Examples of "Enlarge" in a sentence: "as the number of people with cell phones enlarges, more transmission towers will have to be built"; "with a new member of the family on the way, maybe we should consider enlarging the house"; "like a wild animal enlarged from a leghold trap, the freed prisoner raced about".

Is "Enlarge" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Enlarge" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Enlarge"?

"Enlarge" is pronounced /in-ˈlärj/ and divided into syllables as en·large.

What is the origin of the word "Enlarge"?

"Enlarge" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French enlarger, enlargir, from en- + large broad, large. First known use: 14th centuryt.