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
An initial study by the Corps of Engineers in 2000 concluded that the Camp Pendleton harbor and the adjacent Oceanside harbor accelerated erosion on beaches to the south.
—
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
The Israeli military said that during operational activity in the Hebron area on Friday, soldiers perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them and one soldier fired single shots at the vehicle.
—Reuters, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Yet over the past year, real-world deployment of humanoid robots in China has accelerated.
—Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 6 June 2026
This slow buildup can be accelerated if there are any issues with your washing machine.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for accelerate
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
The Israeli military said that during operational activity in the Hebron area on Friday, soldiers perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them and one soldier fired single shots at the vehicle.
—Reuters, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Yet over the past year, real-world deployment of humanoid robots in China has accelerated.
—Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 6 June 2026
This slow buildup can be accelerated if there are any issues with your washing machine.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for accelerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accelerate
Verb
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Since then, the damage has increased at an alarming rate, and many residents fear the end is near for the 53-year-old structure.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
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The recent strikes have increased the strain on the fragile truce between Washington and Tehran.—
Dalia Abdelwahab,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Once down, bystanders quickly rushed to his aid.—
Los Angeles Times,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
-
Add to that mix SpaceX’s upcoming IPO, which could draw so much demand that investors rushing to raise cash to buy shares could unleash a wave of selling that ripples through the stock market.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Publix is set to open five new stores by early July, expanding its footprint in Florida and Kentucky as the grocery chain continues steady growth across the Southeast.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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As part of the deal announced Monday, Amazon will work with Corning on a new program to expand a fiber-optic technician training program at Catawba Valley Community College based in Hickory.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
Reality competition slipped to 45 from 50; unstructured reality rose to 38 from 36.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Verb
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As the crew invades his space and a volatile director (Pyper-Ferguson) pushes him to his limits the line between Levi and his character dissolves.—
William Earl,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
Verb
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From there, more would have to balance the trade financially, as well as in terms of prospects that could either augment Milwaukee’s mix or be flipped otherwise.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
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Whatever the final cost, the program is clearly designed to build both new missile defense capabilities and to augment existing space infrastructure—creating exciting market opportunities for both traditional space primes and new market entrants.—
Michael P. Dempsey,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2026
Verb
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Santa Monica city officials are urging people to stop feeding the squirrels at Palisades Park due to a swelling population and potential environmental concerns.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
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That relief becomes tangible if a traveler hears about a delay early enough to rebook a connection or reroute ground transport before queues swell.—
Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Verb
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In addition to pregnancy and childbirth, menopause is another time when hormonal changes can hasten decline of the pelvic floor muscles.—
Stacey Colino,
Time,
9 June 2026
-
The familiarity hastened the get-to-know-you process.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accelerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accelerate. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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