Showing results for extend. Search instead for entend.

Synonyms

extend

American

[ik-stend] / ɪkˈstɛnd /

verb (used with object)

to stretch out; draw out to the full length.

He extended the measuring tape as far as it would go.

Antonyms:

contract, shorten
to stretch, draw, or arrange in a given direction, or so as to reach a particular point, as a cord, wall, or line of troops.
to stretch forth or hold out, as the arm or hand.

to extend one's hand in greeting.
to place at full length, especially horizontally, as the body or limbs.
to increase the length or duration of; lengthen; prolong.

to extend a visit.

Synonyms:

continue
to stretch out in various or all directions; expand; spread out in area.

A huge tent was extended over the field.

Synonyms:

dilate, widen, enlarge
to enlarge the scope of, or make more comprehensive, as operations, influence, or meaning.

The European powers extended their authority in Asia.
to provide as an offer or grant; offer; grant; give.

to extend aid to needy scholars.

Synonyms:

impart, bestow
Finance. to postpone (the payment of a debt) beyond the time originally agreed upon.
to increase the bulk or volume of, especially by adding an inexpensive or plentiful substance.
Bookkeeping. to transfer (figures) from one column to another.
Law.
1. British. to assess or value.
2. to make a seizure or levy upon, as land, by a writ of extent.
Manège. to bring (a horse) into an extended attitude.
to exert (oneself ) to an unusual degree.
Archaic. to exaggerate.
Obsolete. to take by seizure.

verb (used without object)

to be or become extended; stretch out in length, duration, or in various or all directions.
to reach, as to a particular point.
to increase in length, area, scope, etc.
Manège. (of a horse) to come into an extended attitude.

extend British

/ ɪkˈstɛnd /

verb

to draw out or be drawn out; stretch
to last for a certain time

his schooling extended for three years
(intr) to reach a certain point in time or distance

the land extends five miles
(intr) to exist or occur

the trees extended throughout the area
(tr) to increase (a building, etc) in size or area; add to or enlarge
(tr) to broaden the meaning or scope of

the law was extended
(tr) to put forth, present, or offer

to extend greetings
to stretch forth (an arm, etc)
(tr) to lay out (a body) at full length
(tr) to strain or exert (a person or animal) to the maximum
(tr) to prolong (the time originally set) for payment of (a debt or loan), completion of (a task), etc
(tr) accounting
1. to carry forward
2. to calculate the amount of (a total, balance, etc)
(tr) law (formerly in England) to value or assess (land)

"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

Synonym Usage

See lengthen.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of extend

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English extenden, from Latin extendere “to stretch out.” See ex- ¹, tend ¹

Explanation

The verb extend can have several related meanings, including thrust out, continue, broaden, expand, unfold, span, or increase in scope. Extend, as a verb, is used in many ways. You extend (hold out) your hand when you offer to shake. You extend (push forward) a deadline when you add a few days to it. Your belly might extend (broaden) after a holiday dinner. A telescope extends (expands) your range of vision. If the list of definitions for extend were infinite, you could extend (add to) that list forever and ever. But your patience might not extend that far.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing extend

19th Amendment (1920)

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Beowulf vocabulary

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

extend extends extended extending

The consequences of this dynamic extend beyond Omar.

From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026

The potential applications may also extend beyond cancer.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

James Bradford, operations director at Bryn Yr Haul nursing home, said the team there was "deeply saddened by this incident" and "extend our sincere apologies to everyone affected".

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

"We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and to everyone affected by this violence. No words can adequately express the grief our community is experiencing."

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

The man limped about to gather the few items they’d started to unpack, already guessing Isaac would extend the inevitable invitation.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

It also extends down into neighborhoods closer to the coast and bordered by the 5 Freeway and Camino Los Mares.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

The 200-DMA currently extends to 24,919, according to FactSet data, which implies 4.7% downside from Friday’s close.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

"The Prime Minister extends his condolences to the bereaved families and prays for them to have the strength and patience to bear this irreparable loss," the statement said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

The result provides another springboard and extends Villa's recent form to just one defeat in their last seven games.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

We could choose to be a nation that extends care, compassion, and concern to those who are locked up and locked out or headed for prison before they are old enough to vote.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

To confirm that the method could be reproduced, collaborators in the laboratory of Ravi Majeti, MD, PhD, at Stanford University independently demonstrated that GMPs could be maintained for extended periods and genetically engineered.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

Ortiz’s commitment to specificity extended to the family casting, intentionally matching the actors to the real-life relatives they are based on.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

In June, the Bank extended its climate change policy indefinitely, but dropped targets for the percentage of financing that must have climate-related impacts.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

Similar guidelines were extended to teachers on 6 October.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

Before Nali could say anything, Nathan extended his hand to shake the pawnbroker’s.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

This kind of open-ended investigation, often described as 'blue sky' research, can produce unexpected discoveries with benefits extending far beyond the original scientific question.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

When the sentiment was most dour Thursday—with tremors extending across chip makers and other firms riding the AI boom—Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang spoke up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

His current deal expires at the end of the season but the club have the option of extending it by 12 months.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

These companies are doing what they do best, investing in the pipelines of the future and extending the patent lives of their top-selling drugs.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026

It wasn’t long, scarcely extending past the edge of my hand, but it was sharp.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023