accelerate

1 to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number toy purchases accelerate dramatically during the Christmas season Synonyms increase, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon (also bourgeon), climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, waxRelated Words jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge; heighten, intensify, redouble; blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up); crescendo, crest, peakAntonyms contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

2 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 hurry, bundle, fast-track, hasten, quicken, rush, speed (up), whiskRelated Words drive, goad, prod, propel, push, race, spur, stir, urge; aid, dispatch, ease, encourage, expedite, facilitateNear Antonyms delay, encumber, fetter, hamper, hinder, hobble, hold back, hold up, impede, interfere (with), manacle, rein (in), restrain, shackle, tie up, trammel; arrest, check, stall, stay, still, stopAntonyms brake, decelerate, retard, slow (down)

3 to make greater in size, amount, or number the company accelerated its advertising purchases even as the economy appeared to be in recession Synonyms increase, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, hype, multiply, pump up, raise, swell, stoke, supersize, upRelated Words boom, jump, skyrocket, spike; bump (up), ratchet (up) also rachet (up); blow up, dilate, distend, inflate; draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch; develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify; complement, supplement; beef (up), reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; maximize; accumulate, amass, collect; follow up, parlayNear Antonyms abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten; compress, condense, constrict, contract; cut back, retrenchAntonyms abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)