Broaden
v.thoughtful, hopefulprofessional
What it means
To increase the range, scope, or variety of something.
Reach for it when describing growth in knowledge, opportunity, participation, or perspective
The exchange will broaden each apprentice's view of repair traditions.
Choose between these
7- everyday
widen
range or access increases in a direct measurable way
not when Widen can suggest physical dimension and may sound mechanical for understanding.
- warm
open up
new access or possibilities become available
not when Open up is informal; it may also mean disclosing private feelings.
- professional
variety increases across people, sources, or activities
not when Diversify is inaccurate when scope grows in one direction.
- professional
expand
capacity, scope, or reach becomes larger
not when Expansion can add volume without adding variety.
- professional
extend
duration, reach, or availability goes farther
not when Extend may continue the same thing rather than introduce new range.
- formal
deepen
understanding gains detail and complexity
not when Deepen increases intensity or detail, not breadth.
- formal
enlarge
overall size or scope increases
not when Enlarge is awkward for empathy or perspective and may imply only quantity.
Said against
3- narrow
- restrict
- contract
It naturally appears in
3- broaden horizons
Travel can broaden horizons when visitors listen as well as look.
- broaden access
Evening hours broaden access for workers and caregivers.
- broaden understanding
The oral histories broaden understanding of the strike.
Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English verb sense: make wider in range or scope opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.