elongates
Makes more lengthy
Elongates means stretches out or makes longer.
The word applies to physical extension—a yoga pose that elongates the spine, a shadow that elongates as the sun sets.
It can describe temporal stretching too: a speaker who elongates vowels for emphasis.
The term often appears in technical or formal contexts where "lengthens" would serve equally well.
Extends or lengthens
- extendsIncreases in scope
- lengthensIncreases in extent
- pullsDraws toward oneself
- draws outCauses to emerge
expands · distends · unfurls · straightens · spreads · reaches · stretching · taffy
Extends the duration
- extendsIncreases in scope
- drags outExtends beyond necessity
- draws outCauses to emerge
- lengthensIncreases in extent
delays · protracted · lingers · stretches · sustains · duration · waiting · pauses
Increases in amount
- developsComes into being gradually
- extendsIncreases in scope
- sproutsNew growth from seeds
- rootsUnderground nutrient absorbers
stems · shoots · tendrils · vines · cells · dividing · embryo · seedlings
Constricted water passage
- slenderizesMakes appear thinner
- streamlinesMakes more efficient
- slimsReduces in girth
- tapersNarrows toward an end
flatters · vertical stripes · mirrors · heels · silhouette · proportions · optical illusion · perspective
stretches
Extends or lengthens
draws out · expands · distends · unfurls · straightens · spreads · reaches · stretching · taffy · rubber band
prolongs
Extends the duration
lengthens · delays · protracted · lingers · stretches · sustains · duration · waiting · pauses · syllables
grows
Increases in amount
roots · stems · shoots · tendrils · vines · cells · dividing · embryo · seedlings · runners
narrows
Constricted water passage
- slenderizesMakes appear thinner
- streamlinesMakes more efficient
- slimsReduces in girth
tapers · flatters · vertical stripes · mirrors · heels · silhouette · proportions · optical illusion · perspective · foreshortening
elongatesshortens
Reduces in length
shrinks · contracts · compresses · truncates · condenses
elongatesshortens
Reduces in length
curtails · abbreviates · cuts short · reduces · hastens
- elongated bodyForm longer than wide
- elongated skullArtificially lengthened cranium