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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

Russia said Saturday it would extend a fuel export ban until the end of the year.

From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026

Placing food waste in sealed containers inside the building before removal, for instance, would significantly extend the time necessary to clean up the entire site, the company argued.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

The researchers concluded: "Our findings extend previous anecdotal safety signals and provide more systematic evidence to inform clinical awareness of this potential adverse effect."

From Science Daily ● Jul. 24, 2026

Higher rates extend beyond the bond market, and are reflected in ETFs like TLT, which hold long-term bonds.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

But how could Rome claim to be the seat of the one true Church if its authority could not extend to other solar systems?

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

But it does illustrate that the value of a good adviser extends beyond investment selection.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 25, 2026

Achieving that may require coverage that extends beyond the six months or one year offered by many insurance plans.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 24, 2026

This question extends beyond the historical and social bounds of “Skipping School.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 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

We talk about music, his school, my school, and soon our little block in Bushwick extends all the way out to here too.

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi

Many of the more problematic loans have been extended or modified.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Martínez-Olguín on Thursday extended the restraining order for another 14 days — until Aug. 17 — in recognition that more time was needed for the case to get rolling.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

The discovery could support the development of new approaches for maintaining muscle repair during aging, extended bed rest, and other conditions that involve long periods of inactivity.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 24, 2026

His extended absence from filmmaking was necessitated by Adrian’s death in 2016 and the monumental torrent of confusion and emotional displacement that followed.

From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026

The decorations even extended to the walls, where grapevines had been cut and woven into wreaths, and then peppered with fall leaves and dried flowers.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack

Such a plan would require extending Wembley's usual 11pm curfew, although sources close to London Mayor Sadiq Khan indicated the city would be willing to help make it happen.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

Wildberries' business model is based on a massive network of tens of thousands of pickup locations, extending to remote towns in Russia and to some of its neighbours.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

It’s a feat of engineering, situated on a hill between the park’s upper and lower lots, extending out toward Lankershim Boulevard.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

“Demand continues to improve, imports remain subdued, and lead times are extending further.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

When he hands it back to her, she passes her entire body through it, extending her limbs in fluid, dance-like motions.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

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