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
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Once down, bystanders quickly rushed to his aid.—
Los Angeles Times,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
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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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The deal with Curry, who is a household name in China, is expected to further boost Li-Ning’s popularity in the country and help expand the brand’s market share in the US.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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By greatly expanding the dimensions of his images, with their muted palettes, tight cropping, found symmetries, and laconic wit, had the maestro of the photographic epigram betrayed his subtractive aesthetic?—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Supply disruptions have also hit hard in Europe and Africa, where countries are responding to rising fuel costs and a considerable threat to food security.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
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Airlines have faced rising fuel costs as the conflict in Iran has disrupted global oil supplies and increased energy prices.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The actress started advocating for menopause and mid-life care in 2024 − after her doctor misdiagnosed her symptoms as herpes − and pushed for legislation to fund research and education in women’s health.—
Wendy Naugle,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
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The visit is a chance for Xi to push for a rebalancing of these ties and to signal the importance of the relationship to Beijing at a moment of global flux.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 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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Behind the glass sat a sea-foam green Hermes 3000, a pre-1966 model, instantly recognizable by its bulbous body and soft, swelling curves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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Lucas Mukasa / Anadolu via Getty Images Angry protests swelled Monday, including in the central town of Nanyuki, which is set to host the quarantine center.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
Verb
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But now, moving positions could hasten his return to the majors as the Twins have recently shifted Brooks Lee from shortstop to third after Lewis was demoted.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
3 June 2026
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But Ortberg’s relentlessly systematic approach hastened the progress, and the results are now showing in a big way.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accelerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accelerate. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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