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View synonyms for extend

extend

[ ik-stend ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to stretch out; draw out to the full length:

    He extended the measuring tape as far as it would go.

    Antonyms: contract, shorten

  2. 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.
  3. to stretch forth or hold out, as the arm or hand:

    to extend one's hand in greeting.

  4. to place at full length, especially horizontally, as the body or limbs.
  5. to increase the length or duration of; lengthen; prolong:

    to extend a visit.

    Synonyms: continue

  6. 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

  7. to enlarge the scope of, or make more comprehensive, as operations, influence, or meaning:

    The European powers extended their authority in Asia.

  8. to provide as an offer or grant; offer; grant; give:

    to extend aid to needy scholars.

    Synonyms: impart, bestow

  9. Finance. to postpone (the payment of a debt) beyond the time originally agreed upon.
  10. to increase the bulk or volume of, especially by adding an inexpensive or plentiful substance.
  11. Bookkeeping. to transfer (figures) from one column to another.
  12. Law.
    1. British. to assess or value.
    2. to make a seizure or levy upon, as land, by a writ of extent.
  13. Manège. to bring (a horse) into an extended attitude.
  14. to exert (oneself ) to an unusual degree.
  15. Archaic. to exaggerate.
  16. Obsolete. to take by seizure.


verb (used without object)

  1. to be or become extended; stretch out in length, duration, or in various or all directions.
  2. to reach, as to a particular point.
  3. to increase in length, area, scope, etc.
  4. Manège. (of a horse) to come into an extended attitude.

extend

/ ɪkˈstɛnd /

verb

  1. to draw out or be drawn out; stretch
  2. to last for a certain time

    his schooling extended for three years

  3. intr to reach a certain point in time or distance

    the land extends five miles

  4. intr to exist or occur

    the trees extended throughout the area

  5. tr to increase (a building, etc) in size or area; add to or enlarge
  6. tr to broaden the meaning or scope of

    the law was extended

  7. tr to put forth, present, or offer

    to extend greetings

  8. to stretch forth (an arm, etc)
  9. tr to lay out (a body) at full length
  10. tr to strain or exert (a person or animal) to the maximum
  11. tr to prolong (the time originally set) for payment of (a debt or loan), completion of (a task), etc
  12. tr accounting
    1. to carry forward
    2. to calculate the amount of (a total, balance, etc)
  13. tr law (formerly in England) to value or assess (land)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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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

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Example Sentences

He unexpectedly extended his visit by a day for further discussions.

From BBC

For now, according to Politico, lawmakers seem poised to extend the 2018 Farm Bill for another year, likely attaching it to a must-pass spending measure or a continuing resolution.

From Salon

The government wants to extend this to 10 years.

From BBC

The crisis facing Scotland's prisons evidently extends well beyond a few hundred foreign inmates.

From BBC

Despite their recent run and speculation about the Spaniard's future, however, Guardiola this week agreed a new one-year deal to extend his stay at Etihad Stadium to 10 years.

From BBC

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