Synonyms of accelerate

accelerate

verb

ik-ˈse-lə-ˌrāt 

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

• increase
• rise
• expand
• swell
• climb
• intensify
• multiply
• accumulate
• proliferate
• wax
• escalate
• spread
• roll up
• gain
• enlarge
• mount
• jump
• surge
• boom
• appreciate
• build up
• heighten
• snowball
• balloon
• skyrocket
• burgeon
• mushroom
• rocket
• redouble
• inflate
• peak
• bulk
• puff (up)
• distend
• blow up
• crescendo
• crest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• recede
• contract
• wane
• dwindle

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

• rush
• push
• hasten
• encourage
• quicken
• hurry
• urge
• facilitate
• speed (up)
• fast-track
• drive
• whisk
• propel
• spur
• race
• expedite
• bundle
• aid
• stir
• prod
• goad
• ease
• dispatch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• brake
• decelerate
• retard
• slow (down)
• impede
• hinder
• restrain
• delay
• interfere (with)
• hamper
• tie up
• encumber
• stop
• hold back
• hobble
• rein (in)
• hold up
• stay
• check
• arrest
• stall
• shackle
• fetter
• still
• trammel
• manacle

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

• increase
• expand
• augment
• boost
• raise
• extend
• multiply
• enhance
• intensify
• amplify
• maximize
• escalate
• reinforce
• add (to)
• strengthen
• enlarge
• swell
• aggrandize
• stoke
• compound
• build up
• pump up
• up
• develop
• prolong
• supplement
• jump
• lengthen
• skyrocket
• heighten
• supersize
• hype
• inflate
• complement
• spike
• dilate
• draw out
• elongate
• stretch
• protract
• boom
• distend
• bump (up)
• accumulate
• flesh (out)
• ratchet (up)
• magnify
• blow up
• collect
• amass
• beef (up)
• rachet (up)
• follow up
• parlay

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• abate
• lower
• dwindle
• downsize
• shorten
• curtail
• subtract (from)
• abridge
• abbreviate
• compress
• minify
• de-escalate
• constrict
• condense
• contract
• cut back
• retrench

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of accelerate

This trend will continue to accelerate as cautious investment allocation committees learn to incorporate digital assets into their governance framework. — Peter Mintzberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

That blaze tragically caused the deaths of almost the entire Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot team when flames accelerated through dry, dense, shrubby terrain and overtook 19 elite firefighters. — Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Other benefits include remote monitoring and accelerated production time. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026

Investigators learned Matis accelerated from 0 to 43 mph in the seconds before the crash. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026