Comprehensive Guide to Synonyms of “Broaden”: Definitions, Usage, and Examples

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Have you ever wanted to express the idea of making something wider, greater, or more inclusive, but found yourself using the word “broaden” repeatedly? Expanding your vocabulary with precise synonyms not only enriches your writing and speaking but also helps you communicate more clearly and effectively across various contexts.

This comprehensive guide explores the many synonyms of “broaden”—including expand, widen, enlarge, extend, and more. You’ll learn their definitions, subtle differences, grammatical usage, and collocations, with plenty of examples and practice opportunities. Whether you’re a student, teacher, ESL learner, writer, or professional, mastering these synonyms will empower you to convey ideas with nuance and accuracy.

We’ll begin by defining “broaden” and what counts as a true synonym, then break down forms, sentence patterns, and collocations. You’ll discover how to select the right synonym for physical, abstract, academic, or conversational contexts, avoid common mistakes, and practice new skills. Finally, we’ll answer frequent questions and provide advanced insights for advanced learners and writers.

Table of Contents

3. Definition Section

3.1. What Does “Broaden” Mean?

The verb broaden generally means to make or become wider, more inclusive, or more extensive. It can refer to both physical changes (e.g., making something physically wider) and abstract changes (e.g., making one’s knowledge, experience, or perspective greater).

  • Grammatical classification: broaden is both a transitive and intransitive verb.
  • Literal usage: “The workers will broaden the road.”
  • Figurative usage: “Travel can broaden your mind.”
Sample Sentences Using “Broaden” in Various Contexts
Context Example
Physical The city plans to broaden the highway.
Abstract Reading diverse books helps to broaden your perspective.
Intransitive Her smile broadened when she saw her friends.
Transitive The organization aims to broaden its services.

3.2. What Are Synonyms?

In linguistics, synonyms are words with the same or very similar meanings. However, synonyms are rarely 100% identical; they often differ in subtle ways such as degree, connotation, register, or collocation. Choosing the right synonym depends on context—the situation, subject, and tone you wish to convey.

3.3. Defining “Synonym of Broaden”

A synonym of “broaden” is a verb that can, in a given context, substitute for “broaden” with little or no change in meaning. This includes partial synonyms (words that overlap in meaning but have some differences) and near-synonyms (words that are similar but not always interchangeable).

  • Criteria for selection: Synonyms in this guide are chosen based on their ability to replace “broaden” in common contexts, both literal and figurative.
  • Common synonyms: expand, widen, enlarge, extend, increase, amplify, spread, diversify, open up, deepen, enhance, augment.

4. Structural Breakdown

4.1. Grammatical Properties of “Broaden” and Its Synonyms

Understanding how each synonym behaves grammatically is key to proper usage. Most synonyms of “broaden” are regular verbs, but some have irregular forms or restrictions on transitivity.

Conjugation Patterns of “Broaden” and Key Synonyms
Verb Present Past Participle Gerund Transitive? Intransitive?
broaden broaden(s) broadened broadened broadening ✔ ✔
expand expand(s) expanded expanded expanding ✔ ✔
widen widen(s) widened widened widening ✔ ✔
enlarge enlarge(s) enlarged enlarged enlarging ✔ ✘ (rare)
extend extend(s) extended extended extending ✔ ✔

4.2. Sentence Patterns

The most typical sentence structures for “broaden” and its synonyms are:

  • Subject + verb + object (transitive): They broadened their experience.
  • Subject + verb (intransitive): The river broadened after the rain.

Examples:

  • Transitive: She expanded her business.
  • Intransitive: His knowledge expanded over time.

4.3. Collocations and Common Phrases

Certain nouns and phrases commonly occur with “broaden” and its synonyms. These are called collocations.

Common Collocations for Key Synonyms
Synonym Common Collocations
broaden horizons, perspective, mind, appeal, skills
expand business, knowledge, network, empire, scope
widen the gap, road, smile, opportunities, access
enlarge image, photo, heart, space, capacity
extend deadline, invitation, influence, time, range

4.4. Register and Formality

Register refers to the level of formality or informality in language. Some synonyms of “broaden” are more formal (e.g., “extend,” “enlarge”), while others are neutral or informal (e.g., “open up,” “spread out”).

  • Formal: extend, enlarge, augment
  • Neutral: broaden, expand, widen
  • Informal: open up, spread out

5. Types or Categories

5.1. Synonyms by Degree of Formality

Choosing the right synonym often depends on the formality of the situation.

Formality Scale with Example Sentences
Formality Synonym Example Sentence
Very Formal augment The proposal will augment the existing resources.
Formal enlarge The company plans to enlarge its headquarters.
Neutral expand They hope to expand their customer base.
Informal open up She wants to open up new possibilities for her team.

5.2. Synonyms by Literal vs. Figurative Usage

Some synonyms are better suited to physical expansion, while others are used metaphorically.

Literal vs. Figurative Usage with Examples
Synonym Literal Example Figurative Example
widen They need to widen the street. The policy widened the gap between rich and poor.
expand The balloon will expand when filled. We must expand our perspective.
broaden The river broadened after the rain. Travel can broaden your mind.
enlarge She enlarged the photograph. He enlarged his influence in the company.

5.3. Synonyms by Specific Context

Context determines which synonym of “broaden” is most appropriate.

Contextual Usage with Sample Sentences
Context Best Synonyms Example
Academic/Knowledge broaden, expand, deepen The course will broaden your knowledge.
Physical/Geographical widen, enlarge, extend The engineers will widen the bridge.
Social/Relationship expand, extend She hopes to expand her professional network.

6. Examples Section

6.1. Basic Example Sentences

  • broaden (abstract): Traveling can broaden your horizons. (abstract, neutral)
  • broaden (physical): The river will broaden during the rainy season. (physical, neutral)
  • expand (physical): The universe continues to expand. (physical, formal)
  • expand (abstract): She wants to expand her skill set. (abstract, neutral)
  • widen (physical): The workers will widen the highway. (physical, neutral)
  • widen (figurative): The new policy may widen the income gap. (abstract, formal)
  • enlarge (physical): Please enlarge the image. (physical, neutral)
  • enlarge (figurative): He wants to enlarge his sphere of influence. (abstract, formal)
  • extend (physical): They plan to extend the building. (physical, formal)
  • extend (abstract): She hopes to extend her research. (abstract, formal)

6.2. Complex Example Sentences

  • By participating in international conferences, you can significantly broaden your professional network.
  • The government aims to expand the scope of healthcare services for rural communities.
  • Over the years, the organization has widened its reach to include underserved populations.
  • The artist’s influence was enlarged by the popularity of her latest exhibition.
  • To remain competitive, the company must extend its operations into new markets.
  • His perspective on the issue was broadened after he listened to opposing viewpoints.
  • The river was widened to prevent future flooding, which required months of construction.
  • She hopes to amplify her impact by leading community projects.
  • The course is designed to deepen your understanding of the subject.
  • The new law will augment existing safety measures in the workplace.
  • They opened up new opportunities for collaboration with international partners.
  • The foundation diversified its investments to reduce risk.
  • As the company spreads its influence, it also faces increased scrutiny.
  • Her responsibilities were extended to cover several new areas.
  • The scope of the study was expanded to include additional variables.

6.3. Example Tables

Table 1: “Broaden” vs. “Expand” vs. “Widen” in Similar Contexts
Context Broaden Expand Widen
Knowledge broaden your knowledge expand your knowledge (less common)
Physical broaden the street expand the area widen the street
Gap broaden the gap expand the gap widen the gap
Table 2: Synonyms in Physical vs. Metaphorical Usage
Synonym Physical Example Metaphorical Example
enlarge enlarge the image enlarge your influence
amplify (rare) amplify your voice/opinion
open up open up the space open up opportunities
Table 3: Synonyms by Verb Tense
Verb Present Past Future
broaden I broaden my skills. I broadened my skills. I will broaden my skills.
expand She expands her business. She expanded her business. She will expand her business.
widen We widen our options. We widened our options. We will widen our options.
Table 4: Synonyms in Positive vs. Negative Connotation Contexts
Connotation Context Appropriate Synonyms Example
Positive Learning broaden, expand, deepen The course broadened my understanding.
Negative Social gap widen, broaden The reforms may widen the gap between groups.
Table 5: Collocations Matrix for Each Synonym
Collocation Broaden Expand Widen Enlarge Extend
horizons ✔
knowledge ✔ ✔
road ✔
network ✔ ✔
image ✔
influence ✔ ✔

6.4. Synonyms in Real-World Contexts

  • From a news article: “The government is working to expand access to affordable healthcare.”
  • From an academic journal: “The study aims to broaden our understanding of urban migration.”
  • From a novel: “Her smile widened as she read the letter.”
  • From a business report: “The company seeks to enlarge its market share in Asia.”
  • From a speech: “We must extend our support to those most in need.”
  • From a magazine: “Travel can open up new worlds and opportunities.”
  • From a scientific article: “The research will deepen our knowledge of climate change.”
  • From a biography: “His influence was amplified by his eloquent speeches.”

Note: Some synonyms are more appropriate in certain genres (e.g., “broaden” in academic writing, “open up” in informal speech).

6.5. Cumulative Example List

  • Broaden your horizons by traveling abroad.
  • Expand your network at the conference.
  • Widen the entrance to make it wheelchair accessible.
  • Enlarge the photo for the poster.
  • Extend the deadline for the project.
  • Broaden your understanding of different cultures.
  • The school expanded its curriculum.
  • The smile on her face widened.
  • He enlarged his business rapidly.
  • The company extended its services to new regions.
  • Reading helps broaden your vocabulary.
  • The organization expanded its mission.
  • The river widened after the storm.
  • They enlarged the playground.
  • She extended her stay by a week.
  • The teacher broadened the discussion to include all viewpoints.
  • The business is expanding into foreign markets.
  • The new road widened the path through the forest.
  • They enlarged their customer base.
  • The hospital extended its hours.
  • He broadened his skills through online courses.
  • The team expanded their research focus.
  • The gap between the rich and poor has widened.
  • The museum enlarged its collection.
  • The deadline was extended due to bad weather.
  • She broadened her circle of friends.
  • The factory expanded production.
  • The river was widened to prevent flooding.
  • He enlarged the scope of the investigation.
  • They extended invitations to all employees.
  • Broaden your mind with new experiences.
  • Expand your ideas beyond your comfort zone.
  • Widen your options by applying to more colleges.
  • Enlarge the font for better readability.
  • Extend your hand in friendship.
  • The organization broadened its outreach.
  • The company expanded its workforce.
  • The smile widened as the surprise was revealed.
  • The image was enlarged for clarity.
  • The store extended its hours during the holidays.
  • The reforms broadened access to education.
  • The business expanded rapidly last year.
  • The river widened after heavy rains.
  • The image was enlarged to fit the page.
  • The meeting extended into the evening.
  • The course broadened her perspective.
  • The project expanded its goals.
  • The team widened their search for candidates.

7. Usage Rules

7.1. When to Use Each Synonym

Each synonym is appropriate for specific contexts. Consider the subject, object, and the type of expansion being described.

Appropriate Scenarios for Each Synonym
Synonym Best Used For Example
broaden Abstract/knowledge, perspective Broaden your horizons.
expand Business, ideas, physical space Expand your business.
widen Physical width, gaps Widen the road.
enlarge Physical size, images Enlarge the picture.
extend Time, invitations, influence Extend the deadline.

7.2. Subject/Object Restrictions

Some synonyms are naturally used with animate or inanimate subjects/objects.

  • Broaden: Usually animate subject, abstract object (She broadened her mind).
  • Widen: Usually inanimate subject/object (They widened the road).
  • Enlarge: Inanimate subject/object (Enlarge the image).
  • Expand: Both animate and inanimate, abstract or concrete objects (Expand the program).

Examples:

  • Correct: She broadened her experience.
  • Incorrect: The experience broadened her (awkward in most cases).

7.3. Prepositional Patterns

Each synonym often takes specific prepositions.

Prepositional Patterns with Examples
Synonym Pattern Example
broaden broaden into The discussion broadened into a debate.
expand expand on Can you expand on your answer?
extend extend to The policy extends to all employees.
widen widen the gap between The reforms widened the gap between groups.

7.4. Register and Tone

Choose synonyms that match the tone and level of formality needed for your audience.

  • Formal writing: extend, enlarge, augment
  • Neutral: broaden, expand, widen
  • Informal: open up, spread out

7.5. Active vs. Passive Voice

Most synonyms can be used in both active and passive voice, though some sound more natural in one than the other.

  • Active: The team broadened the scope of the project.
  • Passive: The scope of the project was broadened by the team.
  • Active: The city widened the road.
  • Passive: The road was widened by the city.

7.6. Common Exceptions and Special Cases

Watch out for idiomatic uses and set expressions.

Notable Exceptions and Idioms
Expression Correct? Notes
broaden your mind ✔ Common idiom
widen your mind ✘ Incorrect; use “broaden”
expand your mind ✔ Possible, less idiomatic
enlarge your mind ✘ Not idiomatic

8. Common Mistakes

8.1. Confusing Literal and Figurative Synonyms

Some synonyms are not appropriate in figurative expressions.

Incorrect vs. Correct Usage
Incorrect Correct
Widen your mind. Broaden your mind.
Enlarge your horizons. Broaden your horizons.
Expand the road. Widen the road.

8.2. Collocation Errors

  • Incorrect: “Expand a street.” Correct: “Widen a street.”
  • Incorrect: “Enlarge your opportunities.” Correct: “Broaden your opportunities.”

Frequent Collocational Mistakes:

  • Widen knowledge (should be “broaden knowledge”).
  • Enlarge your network (should be “expand your network”).
  • Expand a photo (should be “enlarge a photo”).

8.3. Register Mismatch

  • Using “augment” in casual conversation: “Can you augment your weekend plans?” (too formal)
  • Using “open up” in a formal report: “The new branch will open up the company’s portfolio.” (too informal)

8.4. Verb Form Errors

Common Verb Form Mistakes
Incorrect Correct
She has broading her knowledge. She has broadened her knowledge.
He is widenning the gap. He is widening the gap.
They have expand their business. They have expanded their business.

8.5. Overuse and Redundancy

Avoid using multiple synonyms in the same sentence unless stylistically justified: “They broadened and expanded their scope.” (redundant). Instead, choose the most precise verb for your meaning.

9. Practice Exercises

9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank

  1. Travel can ______ your horizons.
  2. The city plans to ______ the bridge to ease traffic.
  3. She hopes to ______ her business into new markets.
  4. Please ______ the image for better visibility.
  5. The organization wants to ______ its outreach programs.
  6. The reforms may ______ the gap between communities.
  7. They decided to ______ the deadline by one week.
  8. This course will ______ your understanding of art history.
  9. The company will ______ its services to include new features.
  10. The smile on his face ______ as he heard the good news.

9.2. Sentence Correction

  1. He wants to expand the street. (Correct or incorrect?)
  2. They widened their knowledge through research.
  3. The image was expanded for the presentation.
  4. She broadened her business into Europe.
  5. The photo was enlarged for the magazine cover.
  6. He extended his influence in the company.
  7. The gap between teams was broadened by the decision.
  8. The teacher expanded on the topic.
  9. The river was widened to prevent flooding.
  10. She hopes to broaden her network.

9.3. Synonym Identification

  1. Which synonym best fits: “They ____ their product line to reach more customers.”
  2. Which synonym best fits: “The government will ____ the road for safety.”
  3. Which synonym best fits: “He hopes to ____ his skill set.”
  4. Which synonym best fits: “The image was ____ to fit the frame.”
  5. Which synonym best fits: “The event aims to ____ participants’ perspectives.”
  6. Which synonym best fits: “The contract was ____ by two weeks.”
  7. Which synonym best fits: “Their influence ____ into new territories.”
  8. Which synonym best fits: “Her smile ____ as she saw her friends.”
  9. Which synonym best fits: “The company ____ its operations last year.”
  10. Which synonym best fits: “The income gap ____ after the policy change.”

9.4. Sentence Construction

  1. Write a sentence using “broaden” in an abstract context.
  2. Write a sentence using “widen” in a literal context.
  3. Write a sentence using “enlarge” in a physical context.
  4. Write a sentence using “expand” in a business context.
  5. Write a sentence using “extend” in a time-related context.

9.5. Matching Exercises

Match the synonym to its most appropriate collocation/context:

Matching Exercise
Synonym Collocation/Context
broaden a. horizons
widen b. the road
expand c. business
enlarge d. image
extend e. deadline

9.6. Answer Key

Fill-in-the-Blank Answers:

  1. broaden
  2. widen
  3. expand
  4. enlarge
  5. broaden/expand
  6. widen
  7. extend
  8. deepen/broaden
  9. expand
  10. widened

Sentence Correction:

  1. Incorrect (should be “widen the street”).
  2. Incorrect (should be “broadened their knowledge”).
  3. Incorrect (should be “enlarged for the presentation”).
  4. Correct.
  5. Correct.
  6. Correct.
  7. Correct, but “widened the gap” is more idiomatic.
  8. Correct.
  9. Correct.
  10. Correct.

Synonym Identification:

  1. expanded
  2. widen
  3. broaden
  4. enlarged
  5. broaden
  6. extended
  7. expanded
  8. widened
  9. expanded
  10. widened

Matching Exercise:

  1. broaden – a. horizons
  2. widen – b. the road
  3. expand – c. business
  4. enlarge – d. image
  5. extend – e. deadline

Sentence Construction (example answers):

  1. Broaden your mind by learning new languages.
  2. The city decided to widen the main road.
  3. Please enlarge the photo for the display.
  4. The company plans to expand its business internationally.
  5. We need to extend the deadline for the assignment.

10. Advanced Topics

10.1. Nuances and Connotations

“Expand” often implies adding more elements or increasing range, while “enlarge” usually refers to making something physically bigger. “Broaden” is often used for abstract concepts. “Widen” focuses on physical or metaphorical width.

Synonym Comparison by Nuance
Synonym Typical Use Nuance
broaden horizons, perspective abstract, gradual growth
expand business, influence growth in scope or range
widen road, gap increase in width
enlarge image, space make physically bigger
extend deadline, invitation lengthen, increase duration

10.2. Synonyms in Academic vs. Creative Writing

  • Academic writing: “broaden,” “expand,” and “extend” are common for discussing knowledge, scope, or research.
  • Creative writing: “widen,” “enlarge,” and metaphoric uses like “open up new worlds” are more illustrative or visual.

Academic: The study aims to broaden our understanding of climate change.
Creative: The path widened as the forest opened up before her.

10.3. Synonyms in Idiomatic and Figurative Language

  • Broaden your horizons (gain new experiences)
  • Widen the gap (increase difference)
  • Open up new opportunities (create new chances)
  • Expand your mind (become more open-minded)

10.4. Register, Tone, and Audience Analysis

Synonym choice affects perceived tone and audience appropriateness:

  • For business or academic audiences, use “expand,” “extend,” “broaden.”
  • For informal or conversational situations, “open up,” “spread out” are suitable.
  • For technical writing, be precise—e.g., “widen the bandwidth,” “enlarge the image.”

10.5. Synonyms in Varieties of English

Regional Differences (British vs. American English)
Synonym American English British English
expand common common
widen common common
enlarge common common
open up slightly more informal widely used in both
augment used in formal/technical contexts used in formal/technical contexts

10.6. Collocational Strength and Frequency

Strong collocations are those that are frequently used together, such as “broaden horizons” or “widen the gap.” Corpus data shows that “broaden horizons” is much more common than “expand horizons,” while “expand business” is more common than “broaden business.”

  • Strong collocations: broaden horizons, expand business, widen the gap, enlarge image, extend invitation
  • Weak/rare collocations: enlarge knowledge, widen your mind, broaden the photo

11. FAQ Section

  1. What are the most common synonyms for “broaden”?

    Answer: The most common synonyms are expand, widen, enlarge, extend, and, in more formal or abstract contexts, amplify, augment, deepen, open up.
  2. When should I use “expand” instead of “broaden”?

    Answer: Use “expand” when referring to increasing the size, scope, or range of something, especially in business, physical, or conceptual contexts. “Broaden” is more often used with abstract ideas like perspectives or horizons.
  3. Can “enlarge” and “extend” always replace “broaden”?

    Answer: No. “Enlarge” is best for physical size, and “extend” for length or time. Neither is a perfect substitute for “broaden” in abstract expressions.
  4. What is the difference between “widen” and “broaden”?

    Answer: “Widen” often refers to physical width (roads, gaps), while “broaden” is more abstract (horizons, knowledge).
  5. Are there any formal or informal synonyms for “broaden”?

    Answer: Yes. Formal: augment, extend, enlarge. Informal: open up, spread out.
  6. Can “broaden” be used in both literal and figurative senses?

    Answer: Yes. “Broaden” can describe both physical changes (a river broadening) and abstract changes (broaden your mind).
  7. What are some common collocations with “broaden” and its synonyms?

    Answer: Broaden horizons, broaden knowledge, expand business, widen the gap, enlarge image, extend deadline.
  8. How do I avoid redundancy when using synonyms of “broaden”?

    Answer: Choose the most precise synonym for your context and avoid using two or more with similar meanings in the same sentence.
  9. Are there synonyms of “broaden” that are more common in American or British English?

    Answer: Usage is largely similar, though “open up” is slightly more informal in American English.
  10. What are some idiomatic expressions that use “broaden” or its synonyms?

    Answer: Broaden your horizons, widen the gap, open up new avenues, expand your mind.
  11. Is it correct to say “broaden up” or “expand out”?

    Answer: No. These are redundant. Use “broaden” or “expand” alone.
  12. How can I practice using synonyms of “broaden” effectively?

    Answer: Use the exercises in this guide. Read widely, pay attention to collocations, and practice writing sentences in different contexts.

12. Conclusion

Developing a rich vocabulary of synonyms for “broaden”—and knowing how to use each one appropriately—is an essential skill for clear, nuanced communication. By understanding the subtle differences, collocations, and contexts for each synonym, you can improve both your writing and speaking, making your English more precise and engaging.

Key takeaways include:

  • Use broaden for abstract or conceptual growth.
  • Use widen for physical or metaphorical width.
  • Use expand for increasing scope or quantity.
  • Use enlarge for physical size.
  • Use extend for duration or area.

Continue to practice with the examples, tables, and exercises provided—return to this guide whenever you need a refresher. The more you explore synonyms of “broaden,” the more fluent and flexible your English will become. Remember: nuance and precision are at the heart of excellent communication!

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