1
as in accumulation
a mass or quantity that has piled up or that has been gathered over a period of time
a thick accretion of ice in a freezer that obviously had not been cleaned for some time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in increase
something added (as by growth)
accretions of lime have thickened the cave's stalactites and stalagmites over the centuries
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 accretion
There’s also the potential for a trace of ice accretion.
—
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
The two women’s stories crystallize only gradually in the course of the feature, through the accretion of tiny details that, like the arrival of the hostess in the first shot, emerge amid a profusion of related distractions.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
Current models of super-Eddington accretion predict that these features should be weakened or absent when growth becomes so extreme.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026
The law allows the department’s board to grant land along rivers that have moved through accretion to an adjacent landowner, as long as the owner agrees to keep it as a public right-of-way.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accretion
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
The two women’s stories crystallize only gradually in the course of the feature, through the accretion of tiny details that, like the arrival of the hostess in the first shot, emerge amid a profusion of related distractions.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
Current models of super-Eddington accretion predict that these features should be weakened or absent when growth becomes so extreme.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026
The law allows the department’s board to grant land along rivers that have moved through accretion to an adjacent landowner, as long as the owner agrees to keep it as a public right-of-way.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accretion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accretion
Noun
-
Charlotte played without Wilfried Zaha, who was suspended for the match for yellow-card accumulation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The ice machine had an accumulation of residue.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
April 10,
Sacbee.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At least three men were taken into custody by federal agents outside a San Bernardino County Superior Court on Thursday in what advocates are calling an alarming increase of immigration enforcement actions outside courthouses in the region.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Lawmakers agreed to lower, but not eliminate, the income tax rate while limiting increases on property tax assessments.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both people who live in Kansas City and people who work in Kansas City currently pay 1% of their income into the city’s general fund, which funds 45% of the city’s general budget and pays for services like trash collection, fire services and affordable housing programs.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
But even the most stylish people have, at times, found themselves with nothing to wear, and such an experience actually influenced a standout piece in Ashtin's Dolls Kill collection.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some economists — including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell — argued that sentiment would eventually catch up to reality once Americans adjusted to higher prices, and paycheck gains padded their bank accounts.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Chip stocks have surged this week as investors snapped up semiconductor names in lieu of software, with the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) closing the week with an 11% gain.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With the addition of Santa Rosa, the airline now operates at 14 airports across California.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In addition, Ken is an Emmy-award winning broadcaster for Fox Sports’ MLB telecasts.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The upside in the Neo isn't really about a near-term boost in device sales.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Agosto said Rodriguez started to drink Alani Nu because of posts on social media that advertised it with wellness and health benefits, as well as an energy boost.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accretion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accretion. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
