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

Even with that mechanism shrouded in mystery, this research shows that changes in the mass accretion of supermassive black holes don't always take thousands of years, as previously thought. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Apr. 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