accelerant

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​ant ik-ˈse-lə-rənt How to pronounce accelerant (audio)
ak-
: a substance used to accelerate a process (such as the spreading of a fire)

Examples of accelerant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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One accelerant of America’s decline as a superpower will be that former allies will look elsewhere for their safety, while adversaries will recalculate the right time to challenge Washington head-on. Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026 The Great Recession of 2008 was the accelerant for what came next. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026 Díaz also said the student was carrying accelerant liquids, leading investigators to work on the hypothesis that the attack was premeditated. ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026 Authorities are searching for three people who appear to be seen in CCTV video pouring accelerant onto the vehicles before igniting them and fleeing. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accelerant

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of accelerant was in 1824

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Cite this Entry

“Accelerant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accelerant. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

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