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as in to reproduce
to bring forth offspring rabbits multiply with proverbial rapidity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb multiply contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of multiply are augment, enlarge, and increase. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

When is it sensible to use augment instead of multiply?

The meanings of augment and multiply largely overlap; however, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When would enlarge be a good substitute for multiply?

The synonyms enlarge and multiply are sometimes interchangeable, but enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

When could increase be used to replace multiply?

The words increase and multiply can be used in similar contexts, but 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

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 multiply Pay an additional $1 to add the Power Play for a chance to multiply all Powerball winnings except for the jackpot. Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025 The option costs an extra $1, but will multiply any winnings that aren't the jackpot by a factor of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 Cancer Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, forming tumors. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Sep. 2025 America may weather another partisan cycle, but a broken CDC means preventable deaths will mount, avoidable suffering will multiply and the most vulnerable will once again be sacrificed on the altar of ideology. Stan Chu Ilo, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for multiply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for multiply
Verb
  • This is the company’s guiding philosophy and aims to reproduce audio just as the artist intended with lifelike realism, emotional depth and spatial precision.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • This Imperial Beach restaurant plans to reproduce its business at Terminal 1.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Federal Supplement Security Income payments would increase for January but those payments would be made at the end of December.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But there is really no reason why this should be the case for Pilates—which consists of different low-impact movements to strengthen your core muscles, increase your flexibility, improve your posture and give you more awareness of your body in general.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Set in early-1960s New York City, the film follows a folk song singing Minnesotan with a guitar and a dream, rising from a coffeehouse performer to a counterculture legend.
    Hannah Kerns, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Gabby Provenzano rose at the near post and powered home a header from point-blank range in the 81st minute, assisted by Sabrina McNeill’s cross off a corner.
    Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Kennedy has already propagated an insidious revolution within the agencies under his control, using a playbook familiar to illiberal leaders—culling expertise, silencing critics, and weaponizing administrative procedure to grant a veneer of legitimacy to his actions.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Continue propagating mature clumps by division in spring.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Unrivaled Experiences Growth Spurt Unrivaled will expand ahead of its second season with the addition of two new clubs and a development player pool, the league announced Wednesday.
    Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The panel issued over 100 recommendations, from limiting cash bail for misdemeanors to expanding racial equity training for prosecutors.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rallied 1% after data showed accelerating growth in earnings for Japanese workers.
    Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Google and Meta on Friday announced new partnerships with Reliance Industries as the Indian conglomerate seeks to accelerate its push into artificial intelligence.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Posen said there will be a series of drops over time to augment the collection.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
  • That product was built from the ground up around AI and was possible only because of AI, as opposed to augmenting an existing product with AI.
    Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • During livestreams of Timmer’s tornado chases, large audiences swell and follow along in the hunt from the safety of home.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025
  • These reports became a short story and then swelled to something else.
    Michael Jerome Plunkett September 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Multiply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/multiply. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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