View synonyms for extend

extend

[ ik-stend ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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

/ 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)

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Derived Forms

exˌtendiˈbility, noun
exˈtendible, adjective

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Other Words From

ex·tendi·ble ex·tenda·ble adjective
ex·tendi·bili·ty ex·tenda·bili·ty noun
nonex·tendi·ble adjective
nonex·tendi·ble·ness noun
preex·tend verb
super·ex·tend verb
unex·tenda·ble adjective
unex·tendi·ble adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of extend¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English extenden, from Latin extendere “to stretch out.” See ex- ¹, tend ¹

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Word History and Origins

Origin of extend¹

C14: from Latin extendere to stretch out, from tendere to stretch

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Synonym Study

See lengthen.

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Example Sentences

But subsequent analyses show this variant is not necessary or sufficient to extend life span.

From Science Magazine

But the Arts Council has since provided extra funds and extended that deadline.

From BBC

The authors suggest that as the effects of the Little Ice Age faded, manatees began extending their range northward to Florida.

From Science Daily

Honest services fraud doesn’t extend to quid pro quo exchanges where the “quid” is a perceived reputational benefit, defense attorneys argued in filings.

From Los Angeles Times

Courts have upheld that schools have a right to ban teachers from engaging in such behavior, but they cannot extend this ban to students, according to the ACLU.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

extemporize extend credit to

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