accelerate

verb

ik-ˈse-lə-ˌrāt How to pronounce accelerate (audio)
Definition of acceleratenext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of accelerate On July 29, the Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $58 billion contract to accelerate manufacturing. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026 Secretary-General António Guterres warned that AI could accelerate human development while threatening democratic institutions and social stability if left ungoverned. — Stephen Pitt-Walker, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026 Every car depends on those same four contact patches, whether accelerating onto a straightaway at Road Atlanta or braking for traffic on I-285. — Chris Hardesty, AJC.com, 6 Nov. 2026 That’s crumbling as AI and many other technologies develop, and AI is accelerating it. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accelerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accelerate
  1. increase
  2. rush
  3. expand
  4. rise
  5. push
  6. augment
  7. swell
  8. hasten
Verb
  • FinFETs helped manufacturers increase performance and energy efficiency across generations of smartphone, computer, and server processors.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Those figures increase to 14 tons and 20 tons, respectively, for the larger 9×4 variant.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris III’s assignment was to rush the passer on the most pivotal play of the Jayhawks’ 33-32 loss to UCF on Saturday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Riley rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns, added 88 receiving yards and a receiving TD, and returned a kickoff 20 yards — good for 300 all-purpose yards and three total scores.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of rush
Verb
  • The agreement with Kyoto Fusioneering will expand existing work on next-generation gyrotrons — devices that generate high-power microwaves used to heat the plasma.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Guests celebrating special occasions or those just living the good life can choose the Ritz-Carlton Suite, which offers spacious living, ocean views, and can be further expanded.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • As the second most expensive housing market in Southern California, USC expects Ventura County's average rent to rise even more, from $2,675 to $2,849 by 2029.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Democrats captured seven Senate seats nationally, a number that could rise to nine with two races yet to be called.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of rise
Verb
  • Concern is intensifying as artificial intelligence companies pursue trillion-dollar valuations, and established internet giants pour money into developing advanced AI models while pushing them into the classroom.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Far-right President Javier Milei's sweeping austerity measures, which have pushed millions of Argentines into poverty, could put him at odds with Leo, who has long championed the poor.
    — Carrie Kahn, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • The original tracklist is augmented by a full recording of the band’s 1977 show at Oakland Coliseum Arena, filmed by teen bootlegger Reinhard Hohlwein.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The governor also urged national lawmakers to pass a federal film and television incentive, which could augment states’ efforts to bolster local production.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of augment
Verb
  • The deficit that swelled to three touchdowns was suddenly down to one score not once but twice.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026
  • In the southeastern states, however, vultures tend to remain year-round, so their numbers are more constant, though winter populations may swell as birds arrive from farther north.
    — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of swell
Verb
  • In a Friday interview, Howey’s Mayor Graham Wells hastened to assure his residents there is no danger the city would lose its Police Department or its festivals.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Swift’s demise was hastened by an increase in solar activity over the past couple of years as the sun reached the peak of its 11-year cycle in 2024.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of hasten

Browse Nearby Words

acceding (to)
accelerate
accelerated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accelerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accelerate. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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