broaden

[brawd-n]

See more synonyms for broaden on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with or without object)

to become or make broad.

Origin of broaden

First recorded in 1720–30; broad + -en¹

Related formso·ver·broad·en, verbre·broad·en, verbun·broad·ened, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for broaden on Thesaurus.com

extend, expand, enlarge, widen; enlighten, inform, educate; sophisticate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for broadened

Contemporary Examples

Special praise goes to Kudrow for the way she broadened the scope of Valerie Cherish in Season 2.
‘The Comeback’ Finale: Give Lisa Kudrow All of the Awards
Kevin Fallon
December 29, 2014
Use of the word apartheid in the world has broadened and softened, referring to just about anything that means separation.
Don’t Accuse Israel of Apartheid
Benjamin Pogrund
July 17, 2014
In 2005, the affirmative self-defense was broadened under the so-called Stand Your Ground Statutes.
Why Protest ‘Stand Your Ground’ When It Wasn’t Used by Killers?
Ron Christie
March 11, 2014
Just a few weeks ago, Belgium broadened its existing law to include the possibility of euthanasia for children of all ages.
The Dutch Debate Doctor-Assisted Suicide For Depression
Nadette De Visser
February 3, 2014
For example, he authorized conjugal visits for prisoners for the first time in the state and broadened environmental protection.
The Sins of St. Reagan
Noah Kristula-Green
June 15, 2012

Historical Examples

If our whole horizon of truth were not broadened, we could not possess this command.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King
Then suddenly that face cracked, broadened, spread to a grin.
Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates
Howard Pyle
The Captain's smile lost a little of its bitterness and broadened.
The Depot Master
Joseph C. Lincoln
The smile on the face of Jabez broadened perceptibly, and he began to chuckle.
A Son of Hagar
Sir Hall Caine
I had broadened my palms to the cinch and the axe—I had laid my breast to the rain.
A Daughter of the Middle Border
Hamlin Garland

British Dictionary definitions for broadened

broaden

verb

to make or become broad or broader; widen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for broadened

broaden

v.

1727, from broad (adj.) + -en (1). The word seems no older than this date (discovered by Johnson in one of James Thomson's "Seasons" poems); broadened also is first found in the same poet, and past participle adjective broadening is recorded from 1850.

broaden

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}broaden

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for broadened

Contemporary Examples

Special praise goes to Kudrow for the way she broadened the scope of Valerie Cherish in Season 2.

Use of the word apartheid in the world has broadened and softened, referring to just about anything that means separation.

In 2005, the affirmative self-defense was broadened under the so-called Stand Your Ground Statutes.

Just a few weeks ago, Belgium broadened its existing law to include the possibility of euthanasia for children of all ages.

For example, he authorized conjugal visits for prisoners for the first time in the state and broadened environmental protection.

Historical Examples

If our whole horizon of truth were not broadened, we could not possess this command.

Then suddenly that face cracked, broadened, spread to a grin.

The Captain's smile lost a little of its bitterness and broadened.

The smile on the face of Jabez broadened perceptibly, and he began to chuckle.

I had broadened my palms to the cinch and the axe—I had laid my breast to the rain.

broaden

Word Origin and History for broadened

broaden

v.

Origin of broaden