enlarge
verb
en·large in-ˈlärj 
en-
enlarged; enlarging
transitive verb
1
: to make larger : extend
enlarged the family fortune with new investments
2
: to give greater scope to : expand
education may enlarge one's view of the world
3
: to set free
enlarge a captive
intransitive verb
1
: to grow larger
2
: to speak or write at length : elaborate
let me enlarge upon that point
enlargeable
in-ˈlär-jə-bəl
adjective en-
enlarger noun
Synonyms
- accelerate
- accumulate
- appreciate
- balloon
- boom
- build up
- burgeon
- bourgeon
- climb
- escalate
- expand
- gain
- increase
- mount
- multiply
- mushroom
- proliferate
- rise
- roll up
- snowball
- spread
- swell
- wax
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
We had the photograph enlarged. as the number of people with cell phones enlarges, more transmission towers will have to be built
Recent Examples on the Web Windows visually enlarge a small room—your eye moves beyond the wall to the outdoor view, incorporating it as part of your living space. 
Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2022 As an example, the Madam Black character uses a mirror to enlarge her fists and grab the alien. Patrick Frater, Variety, 18 Aug. 2022 The textured wallpaper provides a sense of movement that helps enlarge the small space. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Aug. 2022 This spring, the couple broke ground on a 1,200-square-foot addition that will enlarge their primary suite, a project estimated at $500,000. Beth Decarbo, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2022 The homeowners, who had lived in one of the Central Park−facing apartments since 2004, seized the opportunity to enlarge the 2,000-square-foot home when a neighboring, 2,500-square-foot unit became available. Alyssa Bird, ELLE Decor, 5 Aug. 2022 It's taken just two weeks for lawmakers to receive President Joe Biden's smaller, $33 billion package, enlarge it and move it to the brink of passage — lightning speed for Congress. Alan Fram, ajc, 11 May 2022 Thus, texturizing or volumizing shampoos open up the hair cuticle and enlarge it. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Apr. 2022 This lets her stretch, disguise herself, and even shrink or enlarge herself similar to Ant-Man. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 15 Mar. 2022 See More
Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2022 As an example, the Madam Black character uses a mirror to enlarge her fists and grab the alien. Patrick Frater, Variety, 18 Aug. 2022 The textured wallpaper provides a sense of movement that helps enlarge the small space. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Aug. 2022 This spring, the couple broke ground on a 1,200-square-foot addition that will enlarge their primary suite, a project estimated at $500,000. Beth Decarbo, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2022 The homeowners, who had lived in one of the Central Park−facing apartments since 2004, seized the opportunity to enlarge the 2,000-square-foot home when a neighboring, 2,500-square-foot unit became available. Alyssa Bird, ELLE Decor, 5 Aug. 2022 It's taken just two weeks for lawmakers to receive President Joe Biden's smaller, $33 billion package, enlarge it and move it to the brink of passage — lightning speed for Congress. Alan Fram, ajc, 11 May 2022 Thus, texturizing or volumizing shampoos open up the hair cuticle and enlarge it. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Apr. 2022 This lets her stretch, disguise herself, and even shrink or enlarge herself similar to Ant-Man. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 15 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French enlarger, enlargir, from en- + large broad, large
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing enlarge
Kids Definition
enlarge
verb
en·large in-ˈlärj
enlarged; enlarging
: to make or grow larger : expand
Medical Definition
enlarge
verb
en·large in-ˈlärj
enlarged; enlarging
transitive verb
: to make larger
intransitive verb
: to grow larger
enlarged 1 of 2
adjective
as in stretched
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- stretched
- magnified
- elaborated
- embellished
- exaggerated
- padded
- overemphasized
- embroidered
- inflated
- overstated
- overplayed
- overdone
- bloated
- overblown
- outsized
- hyperbolized
- overdrawn
- outsize
- hyped-up
- grandiose
- unreasonable
- unreal
- overweening
- unrealistic
- preposterous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reasonable
- realistic
enlarged
2 of 2verb
1
as in increased
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number as the number of people with cell phones enlarges, more transmission towers will have to be built Synonyms & Similar Words
- increased
- expanded
- swelled
- rose
- accelerated
- multiplied
- intensified
- waxed
- climbed
- ballooned
- proliferated
- mushroomed
- accumulated
- mounted
- spread
- boomed
- escalated
- gained
- appreciated
- rolled up
- snowballed
- burgeoned
- surged
- built up
- bourgeoned
- distended
- jumped
- skyrocketed
- heightened
- inflated
- redoubled
- rocketed
- peaked
- bulked
- crested
- blew up
- crescendoed
- puffed (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- diminished
- decreased
- lessened
- contracted
- receded
- dwindled
- waned
2
as in expanded
to make greater in size, amount, or number with a new member of the family on the way, maybe we should consider enlarging the house Synonyms & Similar Words
- increased
- expanded
- augmented
- accelerated
- boosted
- multiplied
- extended
- enhanced
- raised
- swelled
- reinforced
- amplified
- strengthened
- intensified
- maximized
- aggrandized
- compounded
- escalated
- upped
- supersized
- built up
- stoked
- pumped up
- hyped
- supplemented
- distended
- lengthened
- elongated
- dilated
- developed
- inflated
- stretched
- magnified
- skyrocketed
- added (to)
- heightened
- prolonged
- boomed
- complemented
- jumped
- spiked
- protracted
- drew out
- blew up
- accumulated
- reenforced
- collected
- bumped (up)
- fleshed (out)
- amassed
- followed up
- ratcheted (up)
- racheted (up)
- parlayed
- beefed (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reduced
- diminished
- decreased
- downsized
- lessened
- lowered
- dwindled
- shortened
- abated
- curtailed
- abridged
- subtracted (from)
- abbreviated
- compressed
- constricted
- condensed
- contracted
- minified
- de-escalated
- retrenched
- cut back
3
as in released
to set free (as from slavery or confinement) like a wild animal enlarged from a leghold trap, the freed prisoner raced about Synonyms & Similar Words
- released
- freed
- liberated
- rescued
- loosened
- saved
- disenthralled
- enfranchised
- turned loose
- discharged
- unfettered
- sprung
- emancipated
- disenthraled
- uncaged
- manumitted
- loosed
- sprang
- unbound
- unchained
- redeemed
- disencumbered
- extricated
- delivered
- disengaged
- disentangled
- ransomed
- paroled
- disembarrassed
- unshackled
- bailed (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- confined
- restrained
- bound
- fettered
- imprisoned
- shackled
- enchained
- handcuffed
- incarcerated
- locked (up)
- conquered
- subjugated
- committed
- trammelled
- subdued
- jailed
- trammeled
- manacled
- interned
- enslaved
- immured