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

The Convenience Trap As AI transcription becomes frictionless, the legal consequences are accelerating. — Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Prosecutors said Hernandez piloted the boat into a swell and had accelerated the throttle to try to pass through it until the swell swamped the bow of the boat, capsizing it immediately, a complaint alleged. — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

The goal is to accelerate growth of its brands while also maintaining consistent brand standards across global digital marketplaces. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Legal cases have accelerated spending on college athletes NCAA rules long barred college athletes from getting paid by schools and boosters. — David A. Lieb, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026