Extend — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ik-ˈstend/ ex·tend

Meaning & Definition of Extend

Extend (verb)

  1. to spread or stretch forth, unbend
  2. to stretch out to fullest length
  3. to cause (an animal, such as a horse) to move at full stride

Extend (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make longer

    "our guests from out of town extended their visit by a week"

    similar: drag (out), draw out, elongate, lengthen, outstretch, prolong, protract, stretch
    related: amplify, enlarge, expand, increase, attenuate, thin
    opposite: abbreviate, abridge, curtail, cut, cut back, shorten
    near: decrease, diminish, lessen, reduce, thicken

  2. to put before another for acceptance or consideration

    "the couple extended an invitation to join them for a get-together at their house after the concert"

    similar: give, offer, proffer, tender, trot out, run by
    related: pose, propose, hold out, give in, submit, volunteer
    near: accept, receive, take, accredit, approbate, approve, authorize, clear, confirm, finalize, formalize, homologate, OK, ratify, sanction, warrant, decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto, rebuff, rebut, refuse, spurn, retract, withdraw, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

  3. to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area

    "you can extend that chaise longue so that it lies completely flat"

    similar: expand, fan (out), flare (out), open, outspread, outstretch, spread (out), stretch (out), unfold, unfurl
    related: overspread
    opposite: close, contract, fold
    near: compact, compress, condense, reduce

  4. to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction

    "our backyard extends all the way to that brook"

    similar: bear, go, head, lead, lie, run
    related: cross, cut, pass, course, follow, span, traverse

  5. to make greater in size, amount, or number

    "embarked on a series of wars intended to extend his empire"

    similar: accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, 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

  6. to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances

    "the company extends its ice cream with thickeners and other additives"

    similar: adulterate, cut, dilute, lace, sophisticate, thin, water down, weaken
    related: load, befoul, contaminate, corrupt, defile, dirty, envenom, foul, infect, poison, pollute, soil, spoil, sully, taint, cheapen, debase, degrade, manipulate, misrepresent, tamper (with), counterfeit, fake, falsify, fudge, doctor, spike, attenuate, moderate, qualify, temper
    opposite: enrich, fortify, richen, strengthen
    near: fertilize, lard, augment, reinforce, supplement, decontaminate, purify, clarify, clean, cleanse, distill, filter, flush, leach, pasteurize, purge, refine, better, enhance, improve, compact, concentrate, condense

Related Entry: Extend (out) (verb)

Extend (out) is a different word from Extend. The synonyms below are for extend (out), not for extend.

  1. as in project, stick out

    similar: jut, project, stick out, drape, festoon, garland, string, overhang, protrude, hook, mount, pin, tack, cascade, depend, fall, dangle, hang, sling, suspend, swing, balance, poise

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Extend

The most common words with a similar meaning to Extend:

drag (out), draw out, elongate, lengthen, outstretch, prolong, protract, stretch, give, offer, proffer, tender, trot out, expand, fan (out), flare (out), open, outspread, spread (out), stretch (out), unfold, unfurl, bear, go, head, lead, lie, run, accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, compound, enlarge, escalate, hype, increase

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Extend

Words with the opposite meaning of Extend:

abbreviate, abridge, curtail, cut, cut back, shorten, close, contract, fold, abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from), enrich, fortify, richen, strengthen

Related Words for Extend

attenuate, pose, propose, hold out, give in, submit, volunteer, overspread, cross, pass, course, follow, span, traverse, boom, jump, skyrocket, spike, bump (up), ratchet (up), blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, flesh (out), develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify

Near Antonyms of Extend

thicken, accept, receive, take, accredit, approbate, approve, authorize, clear, confirm, finalize, formalize, homologate, OK, ratify, sanction, warrant, decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto, rebuff, rebut, refuse, spurn, retract

Word Forms of Extend

Inflections: extended, extending, extends

Derived words: extendability (noun), extendable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Extend

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French estendre, from Latin extendere, from ex- + tendere to stretch thin

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Extend

Words & Phrases Containing Extend

extend oneself

Frequently Asked Questions about Extend

What does "Extend" mean?

"Extend" means to spread or stretch forth, unbend. As a verb, it is defined as: to spread or stretch forth, unbend. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Extend"?

Other words for "Extend" include drag (out), draw out, elongate, lengthen, outstretch, prolong, protract and stretch. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Extend" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Extend"?

There are 126 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Extend". Common alternatives include drag (out), draw out, elongate, lengthen, outstretch, prolong, protract, stretch, give and offer.

What is the opposite of "Extend"?

Antonyms of "Extend" include abbreviate, abridge, curtail, cut, cut back, shorten, close and contract. Near antonyms include thicken, accept, receive and take.

How do you use "Extend" in a sentence?

Examples of "Extend" in a sentence: "our guests from out of town extended their visit by a week"; "the couple extended an invitation to join them for a get-together at their house after the concert"; "you can extend that chaise longue so that it lies completely flat".

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

"Extend" is a verb.

Is "Extend" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Extend" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Extend"?

"Extend" is pronounced /ik-ˈstend/ and divided into syllables as ex·tend.