accumulative
adjective
ac·cu·mu·la·tive
ə-ˈkyü-m(y)ə-ˌlā-tiv 
-lə-
-lə-
1
: cumulative
an age of rapid and accumulative change
2
: tending or given to accumulation
accumulatively
adverb
accumulativeness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of accumulative in a Sentence
The accumulative effect of his injuries forced him to retire.
the accumulative effect of all her worries was to seriously undermine her health
Recent Examples on the Web
Therein lies the trick of this novel, its slow magic wrought through small, accumulative moments.
—
Isaac Fitzgerald, New York Times, 4 June 2023
There is not an accumulative effect here.
—Dallas News, 16 Jan. 2023
In fact, the accumulative effect can be profound.
—Arne Van Damme, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2021
The past 50 years of market data show that the average one-year S&P 500 index return after the above-average peak inflation is 17% and the average three-year S&P 500 index accumulative return after the above-average peak inflation is 46%.
—Megan Leonhardt, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2023
The third-year wideout has had a trying season thus far, and through it all, he’s been wildly productive — even if the accumulative stats don’t show it.
—Andrew Gillis, cleveland, 28 Sep. 2022
These are long-lasting, accumulative chemicals that pollute the Caribbean, according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 3 Oct. 2022
The effect is accumulative and devastating, and the memoir’s many pieces add up to an inventive reckoning with cultural silence.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2022
The accumulative credits of 750,000 have a net worth of $350 million which exceeds half of the net profit of BYD.
—Earl Carr, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2022
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Isaac Fitzgerald, New York Times, 4 June 2023
There is not an accumulative effect here.
—Dallas News, 16 Jan. 2023
In fact, the accumulative effect can be profound.
—Arne Van Damme, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2021
The past 50 years of market data show that the average one-year S&P 500 index return after the above-average peak inflation is 17% and the average three-year S&P 500 index accumulative return after the above-average peak inflation is 46%.
—Megan Leonhardt, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2023
The third-year wideout has had a trying season thus far, and through it all, he’s been wildly productive — even if the accumulative stats don’t show it.
—Andrew Gillis, cleveland, 28 Sep. 2022
These are long-lasting, accumulative chemicals that pollute the Caribbean, according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 3 Oct. 2022
The effect is accumulative and devastating, and the memoir’s many pieces add up to an inventive reckoning with cultural silence.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2022
The accumulative credits of 750,000 have a net worth of $350 million which exceeds half of the net profit of BYD.
—Earl Carr, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accumulative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
First Known Use
1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near accumulative
Cite this Entry
“Accumulative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accumulative. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on accumulative
Nglish: Translation of accumulative for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of accumulative for Arabic Speakers
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