acceleration

noun

Definition of accelerationnext
as in rate
an increasing in speed or rate of occurrence Experts predict a steady acceleration in economic growth over the next two years.

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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 acceleration Those surveys show worries about AI acceleration across party lines. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026 But the acceleration didn’t work, and the Sparks finished with the second-worst defense in the WNBA. — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Chips face orbital extremes A trip to low Earth orbit subjects a spacecraft to intense vibration and sustained acceleration reaching about 10 times Earth’s gravity. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026 Even the best helmets and other gear can give a false sense of security, Nowinski says, because they’re primarily designed to reduce skull fracture and linear acceleration, not the rotational acceleration that leads to CTE. — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for acceleration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acceleration
  1. rate
  2. pace
  3. speed
  4. velocity
Noun
  • These, then collided with boron nuclei and helped drive the fusion reaction rate beyond 100 million reactions per second.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • New Mexico's arty Hotel Willa, sleek Fairmont Mumbai, and scenic Inkaterra Cabo Blanco in Peru all have rates that start below $300.
    — Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of rate
Noun
  • All this sets the stage for more political swings in the coming years, as climate change and geopolitical shifts generate shocks at a pace difficult for any government to contend with.
    — DAN RESTREPO, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The trajectory of income growth indicates that the current pace of consumer spending is likely to slow but still remain fairly solid, said Gus Faucher, senior vice president and chief economist at The PNC Financial Services Group.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of pace
Noun
  • On a circular track, place a group of runners, all of whom run at unique, constant speeds.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Layoffs are low but caution is high Layoff activity hasn’t picked up speed, according to the Labor Department’s weekly reports on unemployment insurance filings.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of speed
Noun
  • Look at marketing velocity, development requirements, brand governance, performance and whether the architecture can support where the business is going.
    — James Fratzke, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The whole spirit of the 7 BC is to drive heavier bullets at higher velocities out of shorter barrels.
    — John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of velocity

Browse Nearby Words

accelerating
acceleration
accent
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Cite this Entry

“Acceleration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acceleration. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on acceleration

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about acceleration

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