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increase

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noun

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 was the largest purse in Masters history, and the pool of money has always stayed the same or increased, Today’s Golfer reports. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2025 Rates of dental decay would likely increase in communities without fluoride in drinking water, according to the American Fluoridation Society. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
Brown County, another GOP-leaning area, reported a 34 percent increase in early turnout. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025 The scale and timing of price increases will likely vary depending on whether a model or its parts originates in the U.S., as well as a manufacturer’s assessment of its customers’ capacity to absorb higher costs, some experts said. Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for increase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
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
  • This process can accelerate movement toward extreme issue-position groups and identities.
    Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • These luxe hydrogel eye masks, infused with antioxidant-rich colloidal gold and soothing rose damask extract, brighten and boost radiance in the delicate under-eye area.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 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
Noun
  • The initial drop in mortgage rates last week had housing watchers cheering a potential boost to the lackluster spring market.
    Diana Olick, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Finau's confidence may also get a boost from a recent hole-in-one at the Valero Texas Open, following another notable ace in the past.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Instead, existing plaque levels seemed to be a better predictor of future plaque accumulation.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • This visceral fat is strongly linked to insulin resistance, inflammation, and a higher risk of fat accumulation in the liver.1 If a postmenopausal woman doesn’t experience overweight or metabolic syndrome, would her changing hormones still put her at greater risk for MASLD?
    Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That’s the plan at the 49ers’ facility where workers are tearing out the lone artificial surface field in preparation of expanding the team’s grass practice fields.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The brand has also been expanding its handbags offer, and the executive said that the Avenue, Everywhere and Boulevard bags have been very successful.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • This also marks its third-biggest gain in post-WWII history.
    Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The move comes as the European Union considers rolling back recent gains made by climate activists.
    Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Attention also could be paid to dismantling foreign anticompetitive market distortions, in order to augment the benefits achieved through the Task Force.
    Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The rubber match has augmented stakes in a Tournament field with increasing parity.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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