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
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
Poor sleep impairs barrier function and slows the overnight repair window, and chronic sleep restriction visibly accelerates aging.
—
Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
Mythos models, in the wrong hands, could dramatically accelerate sophisticated cyberattacks, particularly in sectors such as banking, which rely on complex, interconnected, and often decades-old technology systems, according to experts.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 13 June 2026
Poor sleep impairs barrier function and accelerates visible aging.
—Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026
In older homes, where systems are nearing the end of their lifespan, costs can accelerate quickly.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for accelerate
Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
Mythos models, in the wrong hands, could dramatically accelerate sophisticated cyberattacks, particularly in sectors such as banking, which rely on complex, interconnected, and often decades-old technology systems, according to experts.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 13 June 2026
Poor sleep impairs barrier function and accelerates visible aging.
—Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026
In older homes, where systems are nearing the end of their lifespan, costs can accelerate quickly.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for accelerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accelerate
Verb
-
Baird added that interest in luxury homes has increased recently among SpaceX's mid-30s to early-40s employee base, according to California real estate agents.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
-
Be careful when riding back downtown on a bike, as the hill notoriously increases cycling speed.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
In the wake of his death, fans of the rock band rushed to buy and stream many of the group's most popular songs and bestselling albums.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
For the season, Hardy rushed for 1,647 yards and 16 touchdowns.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Publix is set to open five new stores by early July, expanding its footprint in Florida and Kentucky as the grocery chain continues steady growth across the Southeast.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
As part of the deal announced Monday, Amazon will work with Corning on a new program to expand a fiber-optic technician training program at Catawba Valley Community College based in Hickory.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
Reality competition slipped to 45 from 50; unstructured reality rose to 38 from 36.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
As the crew invades his space and a volatile director (Pyper-Ferguson) pushes him to his limits the line between Levi and his character dissolves.—
William Earl,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Third, augment human capabilities with AI, connected architecture and long-term partnerships — with humans always in the lead.—
Harpreet Sidhu,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
-
With Ethan Hawke's newbie simmering against the go-for-broke finesse of Denzel Washington's very bad, no-good officer, Training Day revels in tension, with washes of blue and green augmenting scenes where Hawke is bullied into getting high.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Santa Monica city officials are urging people to stop feeding the squirrels at Palisades Park due to a swelling population and potential environmental concerns.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
That relief becomes tangible if a traveler hears about a delay early enough to rebook a connection or reroute ground transport before queues swell.—
Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
In addition to pregnancy and childbirth, menopause is another time when hormonal changes can hasten decline of the pelvic floor muscles.—
Stacey Colino,
Time,
9 June 2026
-
The familiarity hastened the get-to-know-you process.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accelerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accelerate. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
