v. 25B6; verb
metals expand when heated : INCREASE IN SIZE, become larger, enlarge; swell, dilate, inflate; lengthen, stretch, thicken, fill out; rare intumesce.
the company is expanding : GROW, become/make larger, become/make bigger, increase in size/scope; extend, augment, broaden, widen, develop, diversify, build up; branch out, spread, proliferate.
the minister expanded on the proposals : ELABORATE ON, enlarge on, go into detail about, flesh out, develop, expatiate on.
she expanded and flourished : RELAX, unbend, become relaxed, grow friendlier, loosen up.
shrink, contract.