wax

²wax

verb

Definition of WAX

1

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number <the commitment of the young volunteers to the cause seems to wax and wane>

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 eventually have as a state or quality <waxed poetic whenever he wrote to his girlfriend>

Synonyms come, get, go, grow, run, turn, wax

Related Words alter, change, metamorphose, modify, mutate, transfigure, transform, transmute

Near Antonyms abide, be, continue, linger, remain, stay