augment

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb augment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of augment are enlarge, increase, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When is it sensible to use enlarge instead of augment?

The words enlarge and augment can be used in similar contexts, but enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

When might increase be a better fit than augment?

In some situations, the words increase and augment are roughly equivalent. However, increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

his waistline increased with age
increased her landholdings

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to augment?

While in some cases nearly identical to augment, multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

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 augment With fewer job openings for critical roles — since workers stay longer and AI augments their output — there is simply less need for recruiters to find workers to fill non-critical roles. Alora Bopray, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025 For retailers, this evolution is less about replacing human judgment and more about augmenting it with capabilities that can process complexity at a scale and speed humans can't match. Charisma Glassman, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 Britain’s queen consort augmented her sapphire gown with special pieces of sapphire and diamond jewelry, including a tiara that paid homage to Queen Elizabeth II — the Belgian sapphire tiara. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025 Take it from the expert: A team that augmented its lineup at the trade deadline is averaging 3.9 runs per game since doing so on July 31. Zack Meisel, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for augment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for augment
Verb
  • In 2024, that number increased just slightly—by less than 1%—compared to the year before.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Johnson’s detractors accuse him of championing Bukele despite his increasing abuses of power.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Educational Freedom Accounts program significantly expand state taxpayer funding of student tuition and other costs related to private schools and some home-school expenses.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
  • This is a sister organization to the Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind Project 2025—a sweeping conservative policy blueprint aimed at reshaping the federal government by expanding presidential power, dismantling parts of the civil service, and rolling back regulations across agencies.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This project secures funding through the Critical Design Review phase, procurement of long lead material for qualification, and will enable increased and accelerated capacity for solid rocket motor production, according to a press release.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Government initiatives have accelerated this shift.
    Li Jun, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Vintage photographs from Nguyen’s family gracing the walls will help boost its family-style vibe.
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The album helped make Bridges a household name, boosting his national profile and earning him his first of six Grammy nominations.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Kaiping Peng, principal investigator of the report and a professor in the department of psychological and cognitive sciences at Tsinghua University, said understanding and enhancing the well-being of the Chinese people is one of the most vital subjects today.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
  • This configuration allows for the polarization-maintaining operation of its optical components and reduces the total number of parts, which in turn minimizes signal loss and enhances operational stability.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Augment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/augment. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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