increase

²in·crease

noun \ˈin-ˌkrēs, in-ˈ\

Definition of INCREASE

1

: the act or process of increasing: as a : addition or enlargement in size, extent, or quantity b obsolete : propagation

2

: something that is added to an original stock or amount by augmentation or growth (as offspring, produce, profit)

— on the increase

: becoming greater (as in size, number, or amount) : increasing <crime is on the increase>

Examples of INCREASE

1. an increase in life expectancy
2. The employees expect some increase in wages.
3. The construction will probably cause some increase in traffic delays.
4. The report showed increases of between 20 and 30 percent.
5. an increase of three dollars

First Known Use of INCREASE

14th century

Related to INCREASE

Synonyms: accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, expansion, gain, increment, more, plus, proliferation, raise, rise, step-up, supplement, uptick

Antonyms: abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, depletion, diminishment, diminution, drop-off, fall, falloff, lessening, loss, lowering, reduction, shrinkage, step-down

Related Words: accumulation, assemblage, collection, gathering; complement; accession, appendix, continuation, extension, uptrend, upturn; jump, run-up, spike

Near Antonyms: deduction, subtraction

see all synonyms and antonyms

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