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
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Recent Examples of accretion
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
The granularity of these regulations, after more than 50 years of legal accretion, is far beyond the capacity of human understanding.
—Philip K. Howard, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
As a format, television procedurals favor comfort and steady accretion, but The Pitt announced itself by pushing straight to the brink.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
The hazard is in place because of the potential for rapid ice accretion on vessels and other structures.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accretion
Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
The granularity of these regulations, after more than 50 years of legal accretion, is far beyond the capacity of human understanding.
—Philip K. Howard, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
As a format, television procedurals favor comfort and steady accretion, but The Pitt announced itself by pushing straight to the brink.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
The hazard is in place because of the potential for rapid ice accretion on vessels and other structures.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accretion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accretion
Noun
-
Total snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches for 3500 to 4500 feet elevation including the Grapevine of the Interstate-5 Corridor possible.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The restaurant was in violation of 16 standards, including employees not using hair restraints and rust accumulation on prep surfaces.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The focus areas expected to power these margin increases for FedEx include its high-value B2B and specialized B2C segments.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Without that data, the BLS assumed that no price increases had taken place during the month for most categories of goods and services.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The decade-and-a-half-old Eckhaus Latta reflects a larger shift in what was once called hipster culture, from what the warm, cuddly and whimsical (early Eckhaus Latta collections were filled with colorful, easy knits and denim) to something hard and even chic.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Nixon said the data collection and reporting now aligns with agency priorities.—
Mike Stobbe,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Longitudinal studies across diverse populations will be needed to assess whether shifts in the oral microbiome can predict future weight gain, insulin resistance, or cardiometabolic decline, and perhaps most excitingly, whether modifying one's oral ecosystem alters systemic metabolic markers.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The primary challenge of the 2025 gerrymandering was a lack of transparency and the prioritization of partisan gain over fair representation.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Los Angeles County, a December UC Berkeley report found 167 preschools closed between 2020 and 2024 — a decline in child care spots that researchers attributed partly to the addition of the public school grade.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The Padres’ latest addition to the starting rotation competition is an old nemesis who has fallen on hard times.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Universities across the state will also get a sizable boost from the funding bills.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But now researchers say a quick nap might offer that same kind of brain boost.—
Hunter Boyce,
AJC.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accretion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accretion. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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