increase

1 of 2

verb

in·​crease in-ˈkrēs  ˈin-ˌkrēs 

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 

ˈin-ˌkrē-

adjective

increaser noun

increase

2 of 2

noun

in·​crease ˈin-ˌkrēs  in-ˈkrēs 

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

Synonyms

Verb

• accelerate
• add (to)
• aggrandize
• amplify
• augment
• boost
• build up
• compound
• enlarge
• escalate
• expand
• extend
• hype
• multiply
• pump up
• raise
• swell
• stoke
• supersize
• up

Noun

• accretion
• accrual
• addendum
• addition
• augmentation
• boost
• expansion
• gain
• increment
• more
• plus
• proliferation
• raise
• rise
• step-up
• supplement
• uptick

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 European Union has unveiled an $840 billion plan to increase its defense spending, and the German parliament just passed historic constitutional amendments to take on unprecedented levels of debt to facilitate a massive defense investment. —Elizabeth Shackelford, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025

This initiative is driven by the goal of establishing a closed-loop raw material cycle and acknowledging the increasing significance of recycled materials in future battery production. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2025

Noun

The current model of two sites rather than four, like in the men’s NCAA Tournament, reduces overhead costs, and the increase in gate revenue is an additional boon. —Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

This vulnerability is further underscored by recent increases in poverty. —Murtaza Ali, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing increase

• on the increase

Rhymes for increase

• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice
• cerise
• decease
• decrease
• eyepiece
• facepiece
• handpiece
• headpiece
• mouthpiece

Kids Definition

increase

1 of 2 verb

in·​crease in-ˈkrēs  ˈin-ˌkrēs 

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

in·​crease ˈin-ˌkrēs  in-ˈkrēs 

1

: the act of increasing

2

: something added (as by growth)