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
This all comes after Starship suffered a string of setbacks during test flights last year, including an uncontrolled re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere and two midflight explosions as the upper-stage vehicles were accelerating into space.
—
Denise Chow, NBC news, 17 May 2026
Bengaluru accelerated despite that loss as Iyer smashed his first 50 of the season, coming off 29 balls.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
Tropical Belizean conditions accelerate extraction and oxidation compared with continental aging, yielding a flavorful, concentrated rum.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Political appointees should set timelines for agency work, while accelerating processes for hiring, making contracts, giving grants, and updating regulations.
—Joshua M. Sharfstein, STAT, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for accelerate
Denise Chow, NBC news, 17 May 2026
Bengaluru accelerated despite that loss as Iyer smashed his first 50 of the season, coming off 29 balls.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
Tropical Belizean conditions accelerate extraction and oxidation compared with continental aging, yielding a flavorful, concentrated rum.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Political appointees should set timelines for agency work, while accelerating processes for hiring, making contracts, giving grants, and updating regulations.
—Joshua M. Sharfstein, STAT, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for accelerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accelerate
Verb
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Salah’s comments followed a limp 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa on Friday that increased criticism of Slot and questions about his future in the job.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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In Los Angeles, for example, the city spent more than 50 million dollars in 2021 on policing homelessness, yet unsheltered homelessness still increased.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Mary was a vacuum—conceived as little more than an American everywoman—and Lasser rushed to fill that void with her own experience.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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In the second game, Fields had a rushing touchdown and defensive end Donte Campbell had a fumble recovery for a touchdown.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 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
-
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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As tensions rise between the United States and China over trade, technology, Taiwan and military influence, the relationship between the world’s two largest economies is increasingly shaping global politics and national security debates.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
15 May 2026
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The national debt has surpassed the GDP, Social Security and Medicare face looming financial crises, inflation is rising, families are struggling — and yet Congress does nothing.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Verb
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As criticism over competitive disparities intensified following the meet, pro-trans activists pushed back with the familiar argument that inclusion matters more than results, while opponents argued female athletes lose opportunities in the process.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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Williams happened to be passing by as the young dancer was pushing her car down the highway with a friend, and Williams along with his manager stopped to help and was quickly charmed.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Cleveland could augment, perhaps even with Giannis.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2026
-
Harry Styles' stage is a pop playground Styles’ laudable core band – anchored by his longtime drummer, the indefatigable Sarah Jones, who makes tricky beats look simple – was augmented by strings and horns on several tracks, a testament to his ambitious musical aspirations.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Verb
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As the teen continued to deteriorate, his right arm began to swell two or three times more than his left, and his wound began leaking fluid.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
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During the expedition’s first ten days, the ship navigated a strong storm, with ocean swells reaching two to three metres.—
Akash Kapur,
New Yorker,
12 May 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
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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 18 May. 2026.
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