EXPANSION Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

expansion

noun

ik-ˈspan(t)-shən

Definition of expansion

as in increase

something added (as by growth) the museum's new wing is only the first in a series of expansions planned for the next decade

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in evolution

the act or process of going from the simple or basic to the complex or advanced the expansion of remedial reading classes into a district-wide program using school volunteers for a variety of needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in expanse

a wide space or area we gazed in awe at the star-strewn expansion of nighttime sky above us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of expansion Twelve location expansions followed, awarded on reputation without a competitive bid. — William Jones, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026 Harvey Ratner and Marv Wolfenson led the way when the NBA welcomed the Wolves as an expansion team. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The expansion is driven by a new partnership with Fanatics, the NFL’s e-commerce partner. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Next expansion targets 2030 United already plans to expand the training operation again. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expansion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expansion

Noun

The Defense Ministry in Bucharest said that so far this year, Russia had attacked targets close to Romania's frontier 54 times, representing a significant increase on the 28 attacks close to the border in all of 2025.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
New York City sanitation workers say their job has been pricklier than usual after the Department of Sanitation reported an increase in needle stick injuries.

— Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of increase

Noun

The challenge is that the hydrogen evolution reaction is slower in alkaline environments, increasing the need for catalysts that can deliver high activity without rapidly losing performance.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
One person involved in the effort told me that the firings had been carried out because of an evolution in the business at Fannie and not for any ideological reason.

— Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of evolution

Noun

It’s presented as an impressionistic historical montage, of Black farmworkers and the land, with clips of Black history that include modern suburbs, and a woman—Z herself—who gazes out of a door into a sere expanse of land bordered by low mountains.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
Farms bring to mind the smell of hay, the sound of gravel crunching underfoot, horses snorting, grass swaying in the rolling fields, and the vast expanse of the star-studded sky.

— Jeffrey Dungan, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of expanse

Noun

Target hiked its full fiscal-year outlook, due to both stronger sales trends and the one-time boost to its bottom line.

— Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Spradling said large events can provide a significant boost, but staffing pressures, parking shortages and rising operating expenses remain ongoing challenges.

— Kenny Choi, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of boost

Noun

The Australians do provide a men’s and women’s singles berth for a player from the Asia-Pacific region, to foster development in less traditional tennis countries.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
The project now moves into a phase where engineering, construction and workforce development will carry as much importance as diplomacy.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of development

Noun

The question for the next six weeks is whether those tumultuous stretches in April and July into August have done them in.

— Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
The schedule was difficult, but that four-game stretch to end 2024 in which DJ Lagway gripped the attention of the college football world was inspiring.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of stretch

Noun

The luxury of doing less Arriving on the largest island in the Grenadine archipelago, one that was formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity, Sandals Saint Vincent is the latest addition to the company’s portfolio.

— Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
The proposal calls for a 1,280-square-foot addition to the existing 3,000-square-foot building.

— Brad Hamilton, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of addition

Noun

With a keen interest in the African market, the club was tipped off about Diomandé at an early age and followed his progress in the US, eventually signing him in November 2024.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Mayor Karen Bass questions the progress and said that city personnel were inside the warehouse earlier today and that food waste remains.

— Julie Sharp, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of progress

Browse Nearby Words

expanses

expansion

expansions

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Expansion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expansion. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of expansion

noun

Example Sentences

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