lengthen

American  

[lengk-thuhn, leng-, len-] / ˈlɛŋk θən, ˈlɛŋ-, ˈlɛn- /

verb (used with object)

1. to make longer; make greater in length.

   Synonyms:

   elongate

   Antonyms:

   shorten

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verb (used without object)

1. to become greater in length; grow long or longer.

lengthen British  

/ ˈlɛŋθən, ˈlɛŋkθən /

verb

1. to make or become longer

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Related Words

Lengthen, extend, stretch, prolong, protract agree in the idea of making longer. To lengthen is to make longer, either in a material or an immaterial sense: to lengthen a dress. To extend is to lengthen beyond some original point or so as to reach a certain point: to extend a railway line by a hundred miles. To stretch is primarily to lengthen by drawing or tension: to stretch a rubber band. Both prolong and protract mean especially to lengthen in time, and therefore apply to intangibles. To prolong is to continue beyond the desired, estimated, or allotted time: to prolong an interview. To protract is to draw out to undue length or to be slow in coming to a conclusion: to protract a discussion.

Other Word Forms

• lengthener noun
• outlengthen verb (used with object)
• unlengthened adjective

Etymology

Origin of lengthen

First recorded in 1490–1500; length + -en ¹

Example Sentences

“I am going to grind out at-bats, put the ball in play, take my walks, make it tough on the pitcher, lengthen out the lineup.”

From Los Angeles Times

That was forgotten as the shadows lengthened in an arm-wrestle of an evening.

From BBC

And one of Israel's most notable actions at the start of the conflict was to kill scientists involved in the programme in the hope of lengthening the timeline.

From BBC

Still, the group clung to every sign that Wilson would improve—that the distant gaze would leave his eyes and that his concentration span would lengthen.

From Los Angeles Times

But with Musk's attention divided, the project's odds of success would appear to have lengthened.

From BBC

Related Words

• augment
• elongate
• expand
• prolong