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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.

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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

Plus: CK Hutchison launches arbitration in dispute over Panama Canal ports; Amazon plans to extend Prime Air drone deliveries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

Solar prominences are enormous structures of glowing plasma that extend outward from the Sun's surface and are often shaped by powerful magnetic fields.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026

That Safety Zone would be at least one foot wide, or extend to the edge of the roof eaves, whichever is farther.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

But the Aerotrain designers did not see fit to extend the line to concourse D, in part because both C and D were built in the ’80s as temporary concourses meant to be replaced.

From Slate ● Aug. 18, 2026

I begged Mama to extend our trip yesterday.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan

Diamond is famous for its beauty, but its value extends far beyond jewelry.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026

“The economic impact extends well beyond employment,” with an expected elimination of $547 million in tax revenue, including $78.6 million in local taxes, the report said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

For Matt, who says he has already tried therapy to treat his social anxiety, what began as a way to get through nights out now extends to dates and family gatherings.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

The ban extends to fugitives, undocumented aliens, people dishonorably discharged from the military and people convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

The flaps of the tent’s entrance curve to both sides, revealing a yawning, pitch-black hole into which a velvet carpet extends.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Attacks on refineries in Saudi Arabia and in Russia, which recently extended its ban on diesel exports to protect its own supply, have compounded the problem.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

The coroner extended her deepest condolences to the couple's family.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

The 70 family shareholders come back for the company’s annual meeting; the extended family, every five years on the company’s dime.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

In earlier burials, the arms were usually extended, while some later individuals had an arm folded inward.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026

With that, the Ocean Being extended his arm and let fall fat drops of water onto the fireplace and the fire was extinguished.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

Treasury yields edged lower in Asian trade, extending Wednesday’s falls in long-end yields after the Treasury’s buyback announcement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

Still, Broadcom said in April it was extending its partnership with Google through 2031 to provide the company with TPUs and networking equipment.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

Jane Swanson, a board member of Mothers for Peace, waits to speak during public comment following a hearing for extending the operation of Diablo on July 30.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

The bone has short projections extending outward that resemble horns, and it lacks a ventral median groove.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 15, 2026

‘Naturally we have discussed this matter extensively. And without doubt as members of the colored race here in this free country of America we are anxious to do our part toward extending amicable relationships.’

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

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