increase

1 of 2

verb

increased; increasing

intransitive verb

1
: to become progressively greater (as in size, amount, number, or intensity)
2
: to multiply by the production of young

transitive verb

1
: to make greater : augment
2
obsolete : enrich
increasable
in-ˈkrē-sə-bəl How to pronounce increase (audio)
ˈin-ˌkrē-
adjective
increaser noun

increase

2 of 2

noun

1
: the act or process of increasing: such as
a
: addition or enlargement in size, extent, or quantity
b
obsolete : propagation
2
: something that is added to an original stock or amount by augmentation or growth (such as offspring, produce, profit)
Phrases
on the increase
: becoming greater (as in size, number, or amount) : increasing
crime is on the increase
Choose the Right Synonym for increase

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater.

increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity

his waistline increased with age

; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

increased her landholdings

enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Examples of increase in a Sentence

Verb The house increased in value. She increased her wealth substantially. Noun an increase in life expectancy The employees expect some increase in wages. The construction will probably cause some increase in traffic delays. The report showed increases of between 20 and 30 percent. an increase of three dollars
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The package does include funding for 22,000 Border Patrol agents, security technology and increases to detention bed capacity. Democrat-Gazette Staff and Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 23 Mar. 2024 Hauge-Zavaleta, the parenting coach, said parents should increase support networks as much as possible. Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for increase 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'increase.' 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

Verb

Middle English encresen, from Anglo-French encreistre, from Latin increscere, from in- + crescere to grow — more at crescent

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of increase was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near increase

Cite this Entry

“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/increase. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

increase

1 of 2 verb
increased; increasing
1
: to make or become greater
increase speed
skill increases with practice
2
: to become more numerous by the production of young

increase

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act of increasing
2
: something added (as by growth)

More from Merriam-Webster on increase

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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