increase

¹in·crease

verb \in-ˈkrēs, ˈin-ˌ\

in·creasedin·creas·ing

Definition of INCREASE

intransitive verb

1

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

2

: to multiply by the production of young

transitive verb

1

: to make greater : augment

2

obsolete : enrich

— in·creas·able \-ˈkrē-sə-bəl, -ˌkrē-\ adjective

— in·creas·er noun

Examples of INCREASE

1. The house increased in value.
2. She increased her wealth substantially.

Origin of INCREASE

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to INCREASE

Synonyms: accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, hype, multiply, pump up, raise, swell, stoke, supersize, up

Antonyms: abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)

Related Words: boom, jump, skyrocket, spike; bump (up), ratchet (up) also rachet (up); blow up, dilate, distend, inflate; draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch; develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify; complement, supplement; beef (up), reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; maximize; accumulate, amass, collect; follow up, parlay

Near Antonyms: abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten; compress, condense, constrict, contract; cut back, retrench

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Synonym Discussion of 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>.