accelerate

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verb

Definition of ACCELERATE

1

to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number <toy purchases accelerate dramatically during the Christmas season>

Synonyms accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon (also bourgeon), climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax

Related Words jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge; heighten, intensify, redouble; blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up); crescendo, crest, peak

Antonyms contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

2

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 accelerate, bundle, fast-track, hasten, quicken, rush, speed (up), whisk

Related Words drive, goad, prod, propel, push, race, spur, stir, urge; aid, dispatch, ease, encourage, expedite, facilitate

Near Antonyms delay, encumber, fetter, hamper, hinder, hobble, hold back, hold up, impede, interfere (with), manacle, rein (in), restrain, shackle, tie up, trammel; arrest, check, stall, stay, still, stop

Antonyms brake, decelerate, retard, slow (down)

3

to make greater in size, amount, or number <the company accelerated its advertising purchases even as the economy appeared to be in recession>

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

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

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