amplify

verb

am·​pli·​fy ˈam-plə-ˌfī 

amplified; amplifying

transitive verb

1

: to expand (something, such as a statement) by the use of detail or illustration or by closer analysis

2

a

: to make larger or greater (as in amount, importance, or intensity) : increase

b

: to increase the strength or amount of

especially : to make louder

c

: to cause (a gene or DNA sequence) to undergo amplification

intransitive verb

: to expand one's remarks or ideas

Synonyms of amplify

• develop
• expand
• supplement

Choose the Right Synonym for amplify

expand, amplify, swell, distend, inflate, dilate mean to increase in size or volume.

expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

Examples of amplify in a Sentence

amplify a weak radio signal

a receiver that amplified the television signal

using spices to amplify the flavors of the food

Recent Examples on the Web

Use social media to amplify the truth and expose abuses of power. —Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026

Even if it was amplified by being on home turf last week, the crowd reaction suggested something fresh was there. —Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

The fears, especially about the language on immigration and citizenship, were amplified by the broader political climate, said Usha Haley, a professor of international business and management at Wichita State University. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026

After it was caught amplifying the Bush Administration’s lies about weapons of mass destruction and the ease of regime change in Iraq, America’s own newspaper of record issued a mea culpa in 2004. —Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English amplifien "to enlarge, increase," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French amplifier, borrowed from Latin amplificāre "to increase the size of, augment," from amplus "more than adequate in size or extent, ample" + -i- -i- + -ficāre -fy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Rhymes for amplify

• abscissae
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi
• certify
• clarify

Kids Definition

amplify

verb

am·​pli·​fy ˈam-plə-ˌfī 

amplified; amplifying

1

: enlarge sense 2

especially : to add details or illustrations to

amplify a statement

2

: to increase (voltage, current, or power) in magnitude or strength

Medical Definition

amplify

transitive verb

am·​pli·​fy -ˌfī 

amplified; amplifying

1

: to make larger or greater (as in amount or intensity)

2

: to increase the strength or amount of

especially : to make louder

3

: to cause (a gene or DNA sequence) to undergo amplification