increase

verb

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in·crease | \ in-ˈkrēs

, ˈin-ˌkrēs

increased; increasing

Definition of increase

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

increase

noun

in·crease | \ ˈin-ˌkrēs

, in-ˈkrēs

Definition of increase (Entry 2 of 2)

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)

on the increase

: becoming greater (as in size, number, or amount) : increasing crime is on the increase

Other Words from increase Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About increase

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Choose the Right Synonym for increase

Verb

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 Hailey said her biggest concern is that the new apartments will increase traffic congestion along major thoroughfares in the area to the point where thet might cause safety issues. — Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 13 July 2021 If real wages continue to fall, workers will demand higher pay untied to productivity increases, which will further increase inflationary pressure. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, 13 July 2021 Siemens has predicted 5% to 7% annual revenue growth for the next three to five years, based largely on its expectation that demand for its products involved in energy efficiency will steadily increase. — Tom Krisher, Star Tribune, 12 July 2021 The assessment cited other research which concluded that without any adaptation, the number of heat related deaths in the United States would increase by 422% by 2031–2080 relative to 1971–2020. — oregonlive, 11 July 2021 Construction is planned from early 2022 to 2024, Bobbitt said, and will increase the museum's gallery space by 65%. — Mary Jordan, Arkansas Online, 11 July 2021 Annual precipitation could increase by 9 to 15 percent by the end of the century, the assessment says. — Adam Popescu, Wired, 10 July 2021 And with the low cost of natural gas and high costs of electricity in Massachusetts, a switch from gas to electric heat pumps could cause those customers to see their energy bills increase. — BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2021 For patients with severe COVID-19, treatment with the arthritis drugs and corticosteroids could increase the odds of survival by 4% compared to standard care, an analysis found. — Evan Macdonald, cleveland, 9 July 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The area has seen 24 homicides as of July 4, a 71% increase compared to the same period in 2020. — Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 July 2021 Operating expenses increased 12% to $10.12 billion thanks in part to a 6% increase in compensation and benefits. — Peter Rudegeair, WSJ, 15 July 2021 That estimate eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29% increase. — Elinor Aspegren, USA TODAY, 15 July 2021 That estimate far eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29% increase. — BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2021 The proposed 2021-22 budget, up about $400 million from last year, includes a 3.5% increase in salaries for non-bargaining employees. — Stephen Hudak, orlandosentinel.com, 15 July 2021 That estimate far eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29% increase. — Mike Stobbe, ajc, 15 July 2021 The week of July 5, Spain reported 120,351 new cases of COVID-19, according to the latest available data from the World Health Organization — a more than 82% increase from the prior week. — Meena Thiruvengadam, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2021 That provisional estimate by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention far eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29% increase. — CBS News, 14 July 2021

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