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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

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 amplify Let tech amplify, not replace, the raw humanity and drama that makes sports magical. Tristan Thompson, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 Open-source models amplify this risk – they can be freely downloaded, altered, and run offline, enabling rapid innovation but also removing layers of oversight. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025 Her fiery personality, her pizazz amplified the boldness in his prints. Essence, 14 Aug. 2025 But the Spaniard’s absence was just one part of a perfect storm, with a lack of athleticism in his replacements — and an overambitious pressing structure — only amplifying City’s lack of control after losing the ball. Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amplify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amplify
Verb
  • In July, Anthropic was awarded a Pentagon contract to develop national security AI capabilities.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
  • These are all features developed by the building’s original creators, the Miami firm of Steward-Skinner and Associates, prominent architects of the time also responsible for the design of the Miami Seaquarium and MIA’s first jet-age terminal.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Federal Supplement Security Income payments would increase for January but those payments would be made at the end of December.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But there is really no reason why this should be the case for Pilates—which consists of different low-impact movements to strengthen your core muscles, increase your flexibility, improve your posture and give you more awareness of your body in general.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Magnet programs and schools were a way to promote voluntary integration, though locally the magnet system has intensified the city's racial and economic divide, a previous Courier Journal investigation found.
    Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The tournament expanded from 24 teams to 32 at the start of the 1999-2000 season, with a second group stage then played before being replaced with the round of 16 in 2003-04.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • This shift is reinforced by Russia’s push to expand its eastward infrastructure through the Power of Siberia pipelines cementing a more permanent divide in global energy markets.
    Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rallied 1% after data showed accelerating growth in earnings for Japanese workers.
    Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Google and Meta on Friday announced new partnerships with Reliance Industries as the Indian conglomerate seeks to accelerate its push into artificial intelligence.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • He is known for his advocacy in advancing preventive healthcare models, with an emphasis on the role of lifestyle interventions in managing chronic diseases and enhancing overall well-being.
    Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Before the game, express trips will run every 10 minutes to supplement local service, and after the game, SEPTA will have 10 express and six local trains operating.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Now, however, the 37-year-old is back to occasionally working as a PA, taking a daily pay cut of several times his AD rate to help supplement his work line-producing independent films.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Posen said there will be a series of drops over time to augment the collection.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
  • That product was built from the ground up around AI and was possible only because of AI, as opposed to augmenting an existing product with AI.
    Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Amplify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amplify. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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