increase 1 of 2

verb

in-ˈkrēs How to pronounce increase (audio)
Definition of increasenext
1
as in to accelerate
to make greater in size, amount, or number we have to increase the number of season-ticket holders if the local sports franchise is to survive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to rise
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number the number of Internet users increased exponentially during the 1990s

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

increase

2 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌkrēs How to pronounce increase (audio)
1
as in boost
something added (as by growth) shortly after he turned 12, he had a sudden height increase

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accumulation
the act or process of becoming greater in number the increase in the number of students enrolled at the school was very gradual

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb increase contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of increase are augment, enlarge, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

his waistline increased with age
increased her landholdings

When would augment be a good substitute for increase?

The words augment and increase are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

In what contexts can enlarge take the place of increase?

While in some cases nearly identical to increase, enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to increase?

The words multiply and increase can be used in similar contexts, but multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of increase
Verb
That value increases significantly with better management execution and efficiency, which should get those businesses to the 7-times multiple Dell trades at. — Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025 Opt-in to an odds boost for every game throughout the NBA playoffs to increase your potential winnings. — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
Amid a challenging fiscal climate, Baltimore County employees could see a salary increase during fiscal year 2026, according to a $4.6 billion budget proposal outlined by Klausmeier this month. — Shaela Foster, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025 Here is what to know about minimum wage increases going into effect across the country in 2025. — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for increase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
  1. accelerate
  2. rise
  3. boost
  4. accumulation
  5. expand
  6. swell
  7. gain
  8. augment
Verb
  • The improved coding and long-context capabilities could accelerate software development cycles, enabling developers to tackle more complex problems, analyze legacy code more effectively, or generate code documentation and tests more efficiently.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The blaze accelerated quickly because of the Molotov cocktails, Enterline said.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • The country’s Kospi stock index rose 0.56% after the announcement, while the won weakened 0.58% to trade at 1,422 against the dollar.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Single-family housing starts rose 11.4 percent in February, the highest rate in a year, but are primarily happening in just one part of the country.
    — Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of rise
Noun
  • The fabric is known to be smoothing and super flattering, so expect this pair to deliver an extra boost of confidence.
    — Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025
  • On April 30, Venus returns to Aries and your 10th house of career and reputation, giving you an extra boost of charm and magnetism in the workplace.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of boost
Noun
  • The wholesale market got a yellow placard after county inspectors spotted old food accumulation on the ceiling panel above the meat cutter.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Polk’s Perpetual Purpose Model (PPM) shifts the wealth conversation from accumulation to stewardship.
    — Forbes Press Releases, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of accumulation
Verb
  • For 2024, the list was expanded to 450 companies and looked at their emissions between 2020 and 2022.
    — Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Then, expand your repertoire and hit the road with the Ceramide Ato Travel Kit, which features a mini version of the cream plus a travel-size Ceramide Ato 6.0 Top to Toe Wash and Ceramide Ato Lotion.
    — Annie Blackman, Allure, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • The agency hopes the undertaking will accommodate population swells on Fort Worth’s western outskirts.
    — Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Before the pandemic, Jackson County Public Health had about 30 employees, but swelled to about 120 during the crisis.
    — Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of swell
Noun
  • Revenue was likely flat from a year ago at $21.35 billion, supported by gains in regulatory credits and growth in Tesla’s energy storage business.
    — Akash Sriram, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • President Trump later noted the stock market's gains but declined to echo Bessent's view that the current economic standoff with China couldn't continue as is.
    — Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of gain
Verb
  • The most successful implementations use technology to augment human capabilities, providing tools that help people work more efficiently rather than avoiding challenges altogether.
    — AJ Bubb, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Brynjolfsson, in his Daedalus article, suggested changing the tax system to give businesses more incentive to invest in technology that augments labor rather than replaces it.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of augment

Browse Nearby Words

incorruptible
increase
increased
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Cite this Entry

“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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