lengthen

[lengk-thuhn, leng-, len-]

verb (used with object)

1. to make longer; make greater in length.

   Synonyms: elongate
   Antonyms: shorten

verb (used without object)

1. to become greater in length; grow long or longer.

lengthen

/ ˈlɛŋθən, ˈlɛŋkθən /

verb

1. to make or become longer

Other Word Forms

• lengthener noun
• outlengthen verb (used with object)
• unlengthened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lengthen¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; length + -en ¹

Synonym Study

Lengthen, extend, stretch, prolong, protract agree in the idea of making longer. To lengthen is to make longer, either in a material or an immaterial sense: to lengthen a dress. To extend is to lengthen beyond some original point or so as to reach a certain point: to extend a railway line by a hundred miles. To stretch is primarily to lengthen by drawing or tension: to stretch a rubber band. Both prolong and protract mean especially to lengthen in time, and therefore apply to intangibles. To prolong is to continue beyond the desired, estimated, or allotted time: to prolong an interview. To protract is to draw out to undue length or to be slow in coming to a conclusion: to protract a discussion.

Example Sentences

Under the proposed changes the standard wait will be 10 years - with a range of criteria that would lengthen or shorten that period.

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New orders and shipments increased significantly, while delivery times lengthened a little, and supply availability weakened somewhat, the New York Fed said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But she plans to significantly lengthen the time it will take to gain permanent residence in the UK from five years to 20.

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These findings help researchers move closer to uncovering the biological pathways that might be used to lengthen life while avoiding the uncomfortable aspects of current strategies.

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The study found health benefits even for sedentary people who lengthened their walking sessions but didn’t dramatically increase their steps.

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Related Words

• augment 
• elongate 
• expand 
• prolong