Synonyms of amplify

amplify

verb

ˈam-plə-ˌfī 

1

as in to develop

to express more fully and in greater detail

after filing a report of missing luggage, he was asked to amplify a bit as to the circumstances

Synonyms & Similar Words

• develop
• expand
• supplement
• flesh (out)
• complement
• enlarge (on or upon)
• elaborate (on)
• dilate (on or upon)
• add (to)
• run on
• expatiate
• discourse
• ramble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shorten
• condense
• summarize
• compress
• abridge
• contract
• abbreviate
• outline
• sum up

2

as in to increase

to make greater in size, amount, or number

the number of blood volunteers was significantly amplified by the promise of thank-you gifts to donors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• accelerate
• expand
• augment
• boost
• raise
• multiply
• enhance
• extend
• reinforce
• intensify
• maximize
• add (to)
• strengthen
• enlarge
• escalate
• aggrandize
• swell
• stoke
• compound
• build up
• pump up
• up
• heighten
• supplement
• supersize
• hype
• develop
• inflate
• complement
• lengthen
• prolong
• magnify
• elongate
• skyrocket
• jump
• spike
• draw out
• distend
• dilate
• boom
• bump (up)
• protract
• stretch
• flesh (out)
• accumulate
• blow up
• collect
• amass
• ratchet (up)
• beef (up)
• rachet (up)
• follow up
• parlay

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• diminish
• decrease
• lessen
• lower
• abate
• subtract (from)
• downsize
• dwindle
• curtail
• shorten
• abridge
• abbreviate
• minify
• compress
• condense
• de-escalate
• constrict
• contract
• cut back
• retrench

3

as in to intensify

to make markedly greater in measure or degree

a fox's large ears serve to amplify such sounds as little critters skittering among stones

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intensify
• enhance
• heighten
• deepen
• strengthen
• consolidate
• reinforce
• accentuate
• magnify
• boost
• broaden
• redouble
• sharpen
• expand
• step up
• augment
• emphasize
• beef (up)
• extend
• accelerate
• maximize
• lengthen
• enforce
• amp (up)
• enlarge
• supplement
• hasten
• point (up)
• quicken
• exacerbate
• enliven
• stress
• aggravate
• jazz (up)
• restrengthen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• decrease
• diminish
• moderate
• tone (down)
• abate
• weaken
• lessen
• subdue
• recede
• alleviate
• subside
• lighten
• ease
• let up (on)
• dwindle
• wane
• taper (off)

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb amplify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of amplify are dilate, distend, expand, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When is it sensible to use dilate instead of amplify?

Although the words dilate and amplify have much in common, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

In what contexts can distend take the place of amplify?

The meanings of distend and amplify largely overlap; however, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When would expand be a good substitute for amplify?

While the synonyms expand and amplify are close in meaning, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When could inflate be used to replace amplify?

The synonyms inflate and amplify are sometimes interchangeable, but inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

When might swell be a better fit than amplify?

The words swell and amplify can be used in similar contexts, but swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of amplify

Instead of relying on rich oils or heavy butter, Romito uses waters, extractions, and natural juices to amplify flavor. — Joel Hart, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2026

One day of hockey isn’t a lot, but it’s amplified after a year away. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

And elsewhere, losses in the Middle East have been amplified by the war in Ukraine, as the IEA also noted Friday. — ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

Reduced in scale but amplified in intensity, this is what prestige looks like after the fact. — Henry Metz, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026