ACCELERATE Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

accelerate

verb

ik-ˈse-lə-ˌrāt

Definition of accelerate

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

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

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 The global population did not keep accelerating at an exponential rate; the baby boom petered out just a few years after von Foerster published his paper. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 Nov. 2026 The analysts said custom AI chips, or application-specific integrated circuits, or ASICs, are emerging as alternatives to Nvidia's graphic processing units and could accelerate diversification in the AI chip market. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2026 The vehicle later accelerated and drove straight onto the soccer field. — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 13 Nov. 2026 Wholesale inflation accelerated last month to its highest rate in nearly four years, Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed Friday. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accelerate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for accelerate

Verb

Relying on spreadsheets or notebooks to monitor your trips takes time and reconstructing a log from memory increases the likelihood of mistakes.

— Marc Guberti, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2026
University of Miami plays Duke at noon Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium, and that means traffic will increase in the area before and after the game.

— Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 14 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 loss helps expand the Democratic majority in the Assembly that could reach a record not seen since the 1850s.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 14 Nov. 2026
Commission members are advancing a number of ideas to expand the role RESCs play in meeting Connecticut’s education goals.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 13 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

Rosado also has pushed a zoning plan approved by the Miami commission in June to find more money for the Loop.

— Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 14 Nov. 2026
Their movements cause the panel to vibrate, pushing against the surrounding air and generating sound waves, much like the vibrating diaphragm of a conventional loudspeaker.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Nov. 2026

Definition of push

Verb

Meals are augmented by daytime adaptogenic elixirs, functional mushroom tonics from Estonian producer Shroomwell, and hands-on fermentation and culinary workshops.

— Liam Hess, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2026
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

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

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Style

“Accelerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accelerate. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of accelerate

verb

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