accrete

verb

Save Word

ac·crete | \ ə-ˈkrēt

accreted; accreting

Definition of accrete

intransitive verb

: to grow or become attached by accretion

transitive verb

: to cause to adhere or become attached also : accumulate

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About accrete

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of accrete in a Sentence

silt accreting at the mouth of the river over time

Recent Examples on the Web And while these simulations only examined the formation of gassy worlds, in reality those prototypical realms can accrete solid material too, perhaps becoming rocky realms instead. — Quanta Magazine, 7 June 2021 Some bodies get flung into the Sun; others out of the Solar System; others accrete onto larger masses. — Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 16 Apr. 2021 For the actual construction, cement-like material will be piped out like frosting from a pastry bag, forming layers that accrete upward to become walls. — Emily Matchar, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Mar. 2021 As cells age and divide, small errors accrete in their DNA. — James Somers, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2020 Paint is woven and layered and allowed to accrete in ways that evoke human flesh. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2020 In some cases, according to NASA, a white dwarf can accrete enough material from its companion star to completely explode and go supernova. — Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 13 June 2020 Like witches in the ages between them, both women are symptomatic figures, endlessly accreting the stories a culture wants to tell about itself. — Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020 Like witches in the ages between them, both women are symptomatic figures, endlessly accreting the stories a culture wants to tell about itself. — Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'accrete.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.