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
According to research cited by Pullen Ross, athletes lost nearly $974 million to fraud over a 10-year period ending in 2024, and the pace is accelerating.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 May 2026
The Lakers downshifted, and the Thunder accelerated.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
In addition to Becerra, both Steyer and Porter voiced support for pursuing new legislation to create billions of dollars in bond funding, framing it as a way to accelerate housing construction and incentivize local governments to move projects forward.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Not until late Friday did CDC actions accelerate.
—Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for accelerate
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 May 2026
The Lakers downshifted, and the Thunder accelerated.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
In addition to Becerra, both Steyer and Porter voiced support for pursuing new legislation to create billions of dollars in bond funding, framing it as a way to accelerate housing construction and incentivize local governments to move projects forward.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Not until late Friday did CDC actions accelerate.
—Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for accelerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accelerate
Verb
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But ultimately, Ayton needs to increase his scoring at the rim, Redick said.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
-
His most fulfilling moment was when the fourth calf was born in the wild last year, an indication that the bongos are thriving in their native habitat and that their population will certainly increase.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Broderick was rushed from the California Institution for Women, the prison where she was being held, to a medical facility on April 18.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
-
Doctors performed four rounds of CPR, then rushed to figure out what was causing the mother to go into cardiac arrest.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Verb
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There are numerous suites in the mix that expand upon the space, and anyone booking an executive category room enjoys access to the 25th-floor club lounge.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
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Together, the movements reflected an apparent effort to insulate some of Iran's remaining military and aviation assets from the expanding conflict, even as officials publicly served as brokers for de-escalation.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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The crackdown—which came amid a shrinking economy, rising costs, tax increases, and Ukrainian drone strikes on the country’s energy sector—led to a rare outburst of public discontent and an equally uncommon acknowledgment of the dissatisfaction from Putin.—
Joshua Yaffa,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
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Gas prices have surged and inflation is rising.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
Verb
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State troopers pulled him out of his seat and pushed him down the gallery.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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Potter pushed away people over and over again, and The Dark Wizard uses archival footage, various interviews, and Potter’s journals to try to understand why.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Russia soon augmented its capabilities by acquiring Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 loitering munitions from Iran.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
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Semafor’s journalists helped fill in the gaps by augmenting the readout with reporting that wasn’t captured in the transcript.—
Gina Chua,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Veneers and crowns can cause temporary sensitivity or mild discomfort, while implants may lead to swelling and soreness in the first few days.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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While a warm, four-bar bassline chugs alongside dubby stabs and bouncy swells, BEA1991’s vocals switch from nonchalant monotone to falsetto in a way that sounds like an involuntary yelp of joy.—
Reid BG,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a high valley, a troop of men hastened in his direction, carrying axes and long knives.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
Seeds produce ethylene that hastens maturation and deterioration of the surrounding tissue.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accelerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accelerate. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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