Synonyms of accelerate

accelerate

verb

ik-ˈse-lə-ˌrāt 

1

as in to increase

to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number

toy purchases accelerate dramatically during the Christmas season

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• rise
• expand
• swell
• climb
• intensify
• multiply
• accumulate
• proliferate
• wax
• escalate
• spread
• roll up
• gain
• enlarge
• mount
• jump
• surge
• boom
• appreciate
• build up
• heighten
• snowball
• balloon
• skyrocket
• burgeon
• mushroom
• rocket
• redouble
• inflate
• peak
• bulk
• puff (up)
• distend
• blow up
• crescendo
• crest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• recede
• contract
• wane
• dwindle

2

as in to rush

to cause to move or proceed fast or faster

we accelerated preparations for the hurricane upon hearing weather reports that it had gained speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rush
• push
• hasten
• encourage
• quicken
• hurry
• urge
• facilitate
• speed (up)
• fast-track
• drive
• whisk
• propel
• spur
• race
• expedite
• bundle
• aid
• stir
• prod
• goad
• ease
• dispatch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• brake
• decelerate
• retard
• slow (down)
• impede
• hinder
• restrain
• delay
• interfere (with)
• hamper
• tie up
• encumber
• stop
• hold back
• hobble
• rein (in)
• hold up
• stay
• check
• arrest
• stall
• shackle
• fetter
• still
• trammel
• manacle

3

as in to expand

to make greater in size, amount, or number

the company accelerated its advertising purchases even as the economy appeared to be in recession

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• expand
• augment
• boost
• raise
• extend
• multiply
• enhance
• intensify
• amplify
• maximize
• escalate
• reinforce
• add (to)
• strengthen
• enlarge
• swell
• aggrandize
• stoke
• compound
• build up
• pump up
• up
• develop
• prolong
• supplement
• jump
• lengthen
• skyrocket
• heighten
• supersize
• hype
• inflate
• complement
• spike
• dilate
• draw out
• elongate
• stretch
• protract
• boom
• distend
• bump (up)
• accumulate
• flesh (out)
• ratchet (up)
• magnify
• blow up
• collect
• amass
• beef (up)
• rachet (up)
• follow up
• parlay

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• abate
• lower
• dwindle
• downsize
• shorten
• curtail
• subtract (from)
• abridge
• abbreviate
• compress
• minify
• de-escalate
• constrict
• condense
• contract
• cut back
• retrench

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of accelerate

Since the Golden Rule is used by scientists across research areas of chemistry, materials science, semiconductor engineering, and quantum computing, the guidance provided by the Yale will help in accelerating the pace of research in multiple areas. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

The typical 20 to 25-year cycle for nostalgic windows in pop culture is also accelerating thanks to Gen Z and younger millennials who grew up as digital natives. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 July 2026

In the few years following the discovery of ‘Oumuamua’s bizarre motion, Farnocchia and his collaborators began noticing that multiple asteroids orbiting close to Earth also accelerated in a cometlike manner. — Darryl Z. Seligman, Scientific American, 10 July 2026

That created an opening for Samsung Electronics and Micron to accelerate investment in competing products while securing their own supply agreements with hyperscalers seeking to diversify AI chip supply chains. — Lee Ying Shan,jenny Lee, CNBC, 10 July 2026