augment

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb augment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of augment are enlarge, increase, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When is it sensible to use enlarge instead of augment?

The words enlarge and augment can be used in similar contexts, but enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

When might increase be a better fit than augment?

In some situations, the words increase and augment are roughly equivalent. However, increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

his waistline increased with age
increased her landholdings

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to augment?

While in some cases nearly identical to augment, multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of augment Rather than replacing drivers overnight, the company positions its SuperDrive system as a way to augment human capabilities, improve safety, and reduce fatigue. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025 Walmart is seeking to boost India business by augmenting an existing supplier development program to bolster the activities of 100,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 June 2025 The flexibility of the cornerback group is augmented by the fact that both starting safeties, Hamilton and Starks, can play deep, move closer to the line of scrimmage or even match up in the slot. Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 19 June 2025 Next, executives will pull draft decks, key performance indicators (KPIs) and reports from internal systems and augment them with AI summarization of complex documents into executive digests. Paroon Chadha, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for augment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for augment
Verb
  • Speakers said recent actions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials had provoked increasing concern over the safety of local residents attending the Club World Cup games this summer at Hard Rock Stadium.
    CD Goette-Luciak, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
  • The legislation is the signature priority of President Donald Trump, extending the 2017 tax cuts, adding billions to border security and increasing defense spending.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Weeks later, the BBC expanded Frediani’s empire to include News at One.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 1 July 2025
  • Romanticize your sleep with Tekla’s dainty bedding Since launching in 2017, Tekla has expanded from bedding into sleepwear, bathroom sets, and more.
    Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Throughout the 1960s, New York City’s financial sector boomed, yet simultaneously, poverty rates soared, deindustrialization accelerated, and housing costs skyrocketed.
    Daniel Wortel-London, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
  • This can accelerate aging and increase the risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
    Essence, Essence, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The survey also found a sharp increase in focus on customers: 53% of finance leaders are boosting sales and marketing budgets (up 13 points from last quarter), and 51% now rank customer acquisition and retention as a top priority.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 30 June 2025
  • Adding native plants to existing garden beds is a simple way to boost curb appeal while supporting pollinators and improving soil health.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • These gothic elements enhance the book’s central preoccupations of trust, fidelity, and the difficulty of fully knowing another person—or oneself.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
  • Some things in life are mood enhancing and for me one of those things are narrowing down the products that will make it in my suitcase for my summer excursions.
    Samantha Mims, Essence, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Augment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/augment. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on augment

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