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

The tool ends up accelerating not what’s holding the team back but whatever gave way first. — Illia Smoliienko, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

One only has to follow the money to understand why progress isn’t accelerating at the same rate that fashion waste is accumulating. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Here’s what the numbers say, why the shift is accelerating and where the anti-snoring category is headed next. — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026

Rinkēvičs also warned that NATO must accelerate its adaptation to the rapidly changing nature of warfare, particularly the growing role of drones and missile technology. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026