1
as in to increase
to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number
toy purchases accelerate dramatically during the Christmas season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to rush
to cause to move or proceed fast or faster
we accelerated preparations for the hurricane upon hearing weather reports that it had gained speed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to expand
to make greater in size, amount, or number
the company accelerated its advertising purchases even as the economy appeared to be in recession
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of accelerate
Or worse, if we're seen (ph) to accelerate it, is going to hurt Americans.
—
CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Ukrainian drones have struck several Russian refineries and export terminals in the last week, accelerating a campaign that began last summer to target one of Russia’s biggest revenue sources.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
This works by ionizing atoms belonging to a gaseous propellant, such as xenon or krypton, and then accelerating those ions out through a nozzle to provide thrust.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
SBQuantum, a Canadian company, is set to launch a quantum diamond magnetometer to space as part of the MagQuest challenge that seeks to accelerate newer technologies for measuring the Earth’s magnetic field.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accelerate
CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Ukrainian drones have struck several Russian refineries and export terminals in the last week, accelerating a campaign that began last summer to target one of Russia’s biggest revenue sources.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
This works by ionizing atoms belonging to a gaseous propellant, such as xenon or krypton, and then accelerating those ions out through a nozzle to provide thrust.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
SBQuantum, a Canadian company, is set to launch a quantum diamond magnetometer to space as part of the MagQuest challenge that seeks to accelerate newer technologies for measuring the Earth’s magnetic field.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accelerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accelerate
Verb
-
Farmers had hoped to compensate for last year's losses, when farm bankruptcies increased for the second year in a row.—
Lana Zak,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The goal is to complete the project ahead of the FIFA World Cup, when traffic and pedestrian activity are expected to increase downtown.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital by Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics, the man was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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If someone pushes you to rush, keep your tone measured and propose a reasonable deadline that protects quality and keeps expectations aligned.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With the 2026 midterms approaching, sustained voter unease could reshape the broader electoral map and complicate Republican efforts to hold or expand their congressional margins.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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But the department is looking to expand its authority.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the meantime, the Bay Area will stay dry on Thursday with a notable warming trend as temperatures rise back into the 80s across the interior, with a more muted warmup (into the 70s) closer to the water.—
Greg Porter,
San Francisco Chronicle,
26 Mar. 2026
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Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Knicks were able to close the gap behind 17 first-quarter points from Brunson but Charlotte took command late in the second quarter and pushed the lead to 10 at halftime with a series of 3s from Knueppel, Ball and Miller.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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That pushed him over the threshold of 250 made 3-pointers this season, making Knueppel the lone player in NBA history age 22 or younger to connect on that many.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fortifier, a product tailored to preemies, is meant to augment mother’s milk when babies are born prematurely and a mother’s milk alone doesn’t deliver enough nutrition.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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And the bullpen highlighted by Carlos Estevez and Lucas Erceg augmented by the addition of Matt Strahm figures to give them an advantage in putting away games.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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From there, the Hornets’ advantage continued to swell with little Nets resistance, outside of a Minott flagrant foul early in the fourth quarter in a 27-point game.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
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March 13 More than 300 TSA workers have resigned about a month into the partial government shutdown, DHS says, as employees miss their first full paycheck and callout rates swell.—
Graham Hurley,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For advocates of renewable energy and the environment, the war underscores the need for the world to hasten its transition away from fossil fuels.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
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Protests hastened the end of the Vietnam War.—
Steve Metsch,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accelerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accelerate. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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