accumulative

adjective

ac·​cu·​mu·​la·​tive ə-ˈkyü-m(y)ə-ˌlā-tiv How to pronounce accumulative (audio) -lə- How to pronounce accumulative (audio)
1
: cumulative
an age of rapid and accumulative change
2
: tending or given to accumulation
accumulatively adverb
accumulativeness noun

Examples of accumulative in a Sentence

The accumulative effect of his injuries forced him to retire. the accumulative effect of all her worries was to seriously undermine her health
Recent Examples on the Web Such an accumulative approach can work: Stearns’ Brewers made the playoffs without a starting pitcher who qualified for the ERA title in 2019, as did the Rays in 2022 and the Dodgers last year. Jerry Beach, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 According to the latest available data from the FTC, more than 46,000 people in the U.S. reported losing an accumulative $1 billion to crypto scams between January 2021 and June 2022. Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2023 Therein lies the trick of this novel, its slow magic wrought through small, accumulative moments. Isaac Fitzgerald, New York Times, 4 June 2023 There is not an accumulative effect here. Dallas News, 16 Jan. 2023 In fact, the accumulative effect can be profound. Arne Van Damme, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2021 The past 50 years of market data show that the average one-year S&P 500 index return after the above-average peak inflation is 17% and the average three-year S&P 500 index accumulative return after the above-average peak inflation is 46%. Megan Leonhardt, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2023 The third-year wideout has had a trying season thus far, and through it all, he’s been wildly productive — even if the accumulative stats don’t show it. Andrew Gillis, cleveland, 28 Sep. 2022 These are long-lasting, accumulative chemicals that pollute the Caribbean, according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Melissa Noel, Essence, 3 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accumulative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

accumulate + -ive

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of accumulative was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near accumulative

Cite this Entry

“Accumulative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accumulative. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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