increase

1 of 3

verb

in·​crease in-ˈkrēs  ˈin-ˌkrēs 

increased; increasing

intransitive verb

1

: to become progressively greater (as in size, amount, number, or intensity)

Sales increased this year.

The pain continued to increase.

2

: to multiply by the production of young

transitive verb

1

: to make greater : augment

increase the price

2

obsolete : enrich

increasable

in-ˈkrē-sə-bəl 

ˈin-ˌkrē-

adjective

increaser noun

increase

2 of 3

noun (1)

in·​crease ˈin-ˌkrēs  in-ˈkrēs 

1

: the act or process of increasing: such as

a

: addition or enlargement in size, extent, or quantity

wage increases

an increase in knowledge

b

obsolete : propagation

2

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

see also:

on the increase

increaser

3 of 3

noun (2)

in·​creas·​er

-sə(r)

plural -s

: one that increases: such as

a

: an agent that causes something to increase

these increasers of public turmoil

b

archaic : one that promotes or furthers something (as a cause, a group)

c

: a plant or animal that tends to multiply freely

several of the new glads proved to be excellent increasers

d

: a coupling for joining a pipe to another of larger diameter

Synonyms of increase

Verb

• expand
• boost
• augment
• raise
• multiply
• extend
• enhance

Noun (1)

• boost
• gain
• addition
• raise
• rise

Choose the Right Synonym for increase

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater.

increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity

his waistline increased with age

; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

increased her landholdings

enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Examples of increase in a Sentence

Verb

The house increased in value.

She increased her wealth substantially.

Noun (1)

an increase in life expectancy

The employees expect some increase in wages.

The construction will probably cause some increase in traffic delays.

The report showed increases of between 20 and 30 percent.

an increase of three dollars

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

With beetle activity increasing and wildfire concerns already high this summer, both Hager and Manney said waiting is not an option. — Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 22 June 2026

Such tactics are designed to improve strike effectiveness against targets while also increasing survivability by complicating an adversary’s ability to neutralize launch units during a counterattack. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026

Noun

These figures mark a clear increase from depressed crossing rates seen during much of the Iran war since its start in late February. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

Bond puts increase in value when bond prices fall and interest rates rise, allowing investors to offset losses elsewhere in their portfolios if borrowing costs jump unexpectedly. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English encresen, from Anglo-French encreistre, from Latin increscere, from in- + crescere to grow — more at crescent

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing increase

• on the increase

Rhymes for increase

• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice
• cerise
• decease
• decrease
• eyepiece
• facepiece
• handpiece
• headpiece
• mouthpiece

Kids Definition

increase

1 of 2 verb

in·​crease in-ˈkrēs  ˈin-ˌkrēs 

increased; increasing

1

: to make or become greater

increase speed

skill increases with practice

2

: to become more numerous by the production of young

increase

2 of 2 noun

in·​crease ˈin-ˌkrēs  in-ˈkrēs 

1

: the act of increasing

2

: something added (as by growth)