Synonyms of accretion

accretion

noun

ə-ˈkrē-shən 

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

• accumulation
• collection
• mixture
• assemblage
• pile
• jumble
• gathering
• cumulation
• cumulus
• mix
• lodgment
• heap
• pileup
• assortment
• conglomerate
• mass
• aggregation
• agglomeration
• conglomeration
• congeries
• medley
• aggregate
• sum
• hodgepodge
• clutter
• hoard
• supply
• agglomerate
• totality
• mélange
• litter
• inventory
• potpourri
• motley
• mishmash
• hash
• cache
• stockpile
• hotchpotch
• backlog
• fund
• nest egg
• reserve
• store
• stock
• kitty

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

• increase
• gain
• addition
• boost
• rise
• increment
• accrual
• raise
• expansion
• augmentation
• accumulation
• proliferation
• supplement
• addendum
• plus
• step-up
• uptick
• more
• continuation
• collection
• extension
• assemblage
• gathering
• complement
• accession
• spike
• jump
• appendix
• upturn
• uptrend
• run-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduction
• loss
• depletion
• diminution
• decrease
• shrinkage
• decline
• abatement
• lowering
• fall
• decrement
• lessening
• diminishment
• deduction
• subtraction
• step-down
• falloff
• drop-off

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of accretion

Both insertions — one for art, the other for movement — negotiate with the museum’s history of accretion. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 May 2026

In Worcester County, the main impact will be ice accretion. — Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026

His concurring opinion in the tariffs case may become the Roberts Court’s most influential statement on how to prevent the steady accretion of executive power. — Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026

There’s also the potential for a trace of ice accretion. — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026