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

Samsung Electronics said Thursday it expects the semiconductor shortage to persist through 2028, positioning the world’s largest memory-chip maker to extend its streak of record earnings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026

The agreement will extend the franchise’s reach on Netflix in places such as the U.K.,

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

The proposed model may extend far beyond Kikai.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

Capanna said a universal travel adaptor that lets multiple pins extend at once is "the most immediate sign it is dangerous", posing real risks of electric shock or electrocution.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

Determinedly, I step back, extend my arm, my palm down.

From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Comparing the relevant circuits in ants and mammals may therefore help scientists uncover a shared biological strategy for parenting that extends across widely separated branches of the animal kingdom.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 1, 2026

Germany’s DAX ticks into the green—up 0.1%—as utilities and autos rise, even as Adidas extends losses to fall close to 18%.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

“If disruptions persist for another month, the national average would likely rebound to around $4.20. If the conflict extends to two months, prices would likely move back above $4.50,” they said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

The move extends mandatory life sentences to anyone who commits the manslaughter of an emergency worker on duty including police, prison officers, firefighters and paramedics.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

“The festival takes place primarily in the lot, but it also extends out to here and here.”

From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya

The rules, which previously applied within 30 feet of homes, were extended out to 100 feet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026

Shares of Ferguson rallied more than 9% in the extended trading session Friday after the news.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026

Treasury yields extended recent gains on Friday after three central bank officials explained why they cast dissenting votes in favor of raising interest rates this week.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Oil prices extended Thursday's retreat amid easing Middle East tensions.

From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026

Håkon stretched forward and extended a clawed foot.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

"Today the industry is extending grace, but the first time an autonomous agent causes a breach involving real data, a real plaintiff, and real financial losses, liability won't be an academic debate anymore," he said.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

The design for the embassy by David Chipperfield Architects involves restoring and partially demolishing and extending existing the historic buildings on the bank of the Thames.

From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026

“Emerging Markets continued to deliver despite the Chinese condom headwinds still persisting with broad-based momentum extending well beyond China,” they said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

By not extending his contract a summer ago, they made it clear: They were ready to move on.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

But this episode was symptomatic: even his love for me involved extending the fabric of his psychosis and confabulation.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

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