broaden

verb

broad·​en ˈbrȯ-dᵊn How to pronounce broaden (audio)
broadened; broadening ˈbrȯd-niŋ How to pronounce broaden (audio)
ˈbrȯ-dᵊn-iŋ
Synonyms of broadennext

transitive verb

: to make broader

intransitive verb

: to become broad

Examples of broaden in a Sentence

They need to broaden their understanding of other cultures. The police have broadened the scope of the investigation. Her smile broadened when I told her the good news. The investigation has broadened to include the mayor's staff. His interests broadened to include art and music, not just sports.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To support that effort, Eagle recently expanded its technical team by adding Yukuskokon Professional Services while broadening existing partnerships with BBA USA and SLR International for engineering, resource evaluation and permitting work. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026 Children of foreign diplomats are already excluded from birthright citizenship, and the new order broadens the covered categories. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 7 Aug. 2026 They can be purchased as investments, second homes, or rental properties, broadening their appeal but also making the sector more sensitive to shifts in investor demand. — John Walkup, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 The race to develop Bundibugyo-specific vaccines broadened Tuesday with the announcement that Moderna has started enrolling participants in a Phase 1 clinical trial of its messenger RNA vaccine. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for broaden

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of broaden was in 1864

Phrases Containing broaden

Rhymes for broaden

See All Rhymes for broaden

Browse Nearby Words

broad command pennant
broaden
broaden one's horizons/mind
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Broaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broaden. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

broaden

verb
broad·​en ˈbrȯd-ᵊn How to pronounce broaden (audio)
broadened; broadening ˈbrȯd-niŋ How to pronounce broaden (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become broad or broader
broaden your horizons

More from Merriam-Webster on broaden

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for broaden

Nglish: Translation of broaden for Spanish Speakers

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