increase 1 of 2

Definition of increasenext

increase

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb increase contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of increase are augment, enlarge, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," 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

When would augment be a good substitute for increase?

The words augment and increase are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

In what contexts can enlarge take the place of increase?

While in some cases nearly identical to increase, enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to increase?

The words multiply and increase can be used in similar contexts, but 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 increase
Verb
With summer on the horizon – when school is out and crime typically increases – police and officials have taken steps to crack down on large gatherings of teens. Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 May 2026 That increase has trickled into their produce, where Quintero Sanchez said every basket and box sold has increased $1. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
Noun
The city council is scheduled to discuss the fee increases at next Tuesday's meeting at City Hall. James Taylor, CBS News, 8 May 2026 The cost of crude oil, the main ingredient in gasoline, is driving much of the increase. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for increase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
Verb
  • The chain eventually expanded to other nameplates — Banana Republic and Old Navy — and now generates more than $15 billion in sales globally.
    Anne D'Innocenzio, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
  • That means expanding the Renter’s Tax Credit, protecting homeowners from rising costs and making sure renters know their rights and can access homelessness prevention services.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • The crackdown—which came amid a shrinking economy, rising costs, tax increases, and Ukrainian drone strikes on the country’s energy sector—led to a rare outburst of public discontent and an equally uncommon acknowledgment of the dissatisfaction from Putin.
    Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
  • Gas prices have surged and inflation is rising.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • The faster spin resulted in a 30 percent boost in lift capability.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
  • The strange upside of high-profile rulings like Friday’s is a boost to Democratic messaging against the few swing-state centrist Republicans who are still clinging to House seats.
    Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • The first of three games in seven days will begin without Bouanga, who is suspended for one match due to yellow card accumulation.
    Josh Gross, Daily News, 10 May 2026
  • In practice, however, the process is often limited by the accumulation of volatile fatty acids, which decrease pH levels and suppress microbial activity.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • This is the first of a new type of rideshare program flying to that orbit that augments SpaceX’s Transporter program that flies to SSO.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
  • Today the precision of offside decisions can be augmented with the use of technologies such as video assistant referee (VAR) with semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), which help reduce controversial calls.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Even accelerating a college degree to three years from four, can save students $100,000 dollars or more at many schools.
    Matthew G. Andersson, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
  • Conventional intuition suggests that the most efficient way to accelerate a chemical reaction is to give reactants unhindered access to a highly active catalyst.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • Russia’s bigger and better-equipped military has been making slow but steady gains along the more than 1,000-kilometer (over 600-mile) front line.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 May 2026
  • Russia's bigger and better-equipped military has been making slow but steady gains along the more than 1,000-kilometer (over 600-mile) front line.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • While snow totals remain uncertain, this storm is forecast to bring colder air and has a better chance of bringing more widespread and meaningful accumulating snow, particularly in the mountains and higher elevations.
    Alex Lehnert, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 10 May. 2026.

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