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 That distinction matters as the United States accelerates investment in domestic mining, refining and magnet manufacturing. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026 The site improvements could help significantly reduce development risk and accelerate the potential for revenue. — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 The leading enterprises across industries will be those that can accelerate AI adoption while maintaining trust in the decisions and actions AI takes. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 This season’s pace is starting to accelerate, even if its ultimate direction remains unclear and its endpoint remains distant. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accelerate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for accelerate

Verb

Corporate America has dramatically increased investment in women's sports over the past several years as leagues such as the WNBA and the National Women's Soccer League continue posting record attendance and television ratings.

— Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Houthis’ allies The Houthis are backed by Iran, which began increasing its aid to the group in 2014 as the civil war escalated and as its rivalry with Saudi Arabia intensified.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

Some critics worry the country is rushing to deploy risky and unnecessary new technology at a time when wind, solar and battery power are increasingly affordable and reliable.

— Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
And rather than rush to a decision during a pastoral transition, the church chose to set the conversation aside.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of rush

Verb

Start the conversation, suggest the class, or invite someone into a plan that expands the room.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
South Africa's utility, Eskom, plans to develop a 1-gigawatt solar manufacturing facility to capture more value from its fast-expanding solar market and respond to changing electricity demand.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

Eliminating the tax credit didn’t kill the EV market entirely, however, and EV sales in the US actually rose 15% from the first quarter to the second quarter of this year.

— Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Exports of high-tech items surged nearly 41% in January-July from the same period the year before, while shipments of vehicles jumped 55% and overall exports of electronics and machinery rose 26%.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Millard expects to push that number to about 200,000 with improvements to the company’s methods and some additional infrastructure.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Forbes contributor David Phelan highlights contrasting reports that the iPhone Ultra is either on course for a full release or will be either restricted at launch or pushed back into October.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of push

Verb

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials say Russia is augmenting its arsenal with North Korean ballistic missiles, further raising the threat.

— Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
In September 2022 these were augmented with a steadily rising drumbeat of Shahed drones, first tens, then hundreds, now thousands.

— David Hambling, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of augment

Verb

LaVine appeared in only 39 games last season before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right pinky finger, a move seemingly hastened by the Kings again being eliminated early from playoff contention.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Spain will hasten the repatriation of irregular migrants following the Ceuta incursion, while maintaining anti-trafficking cooperation with Morocco.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of hasten

Browse Nearby Words

acceding (to)

accelerate

accelerated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Accelerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accelerate. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of accelerate

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on accelerate

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

baptism of fire

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes