1
as in to expand
to make greater in size, amount, or number
we have to increase the number of season-ticket holders if the local sports franchise is to survive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to rise
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the number of Internet users increased exponentially during the 1990s
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in boost
something added (as by growth)
shortly after he turned 12, he had a sudden height increase
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accumulation
the act or process of becoming greater in number
the increase in the number of students enrolled at the school was very gradual
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of increase
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
The cost of disasters is increasing in part because climate change fuels more-intense storms, floods and wildfires that damage and destroy property.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026
Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2026
Home prices in California are expected to rise in 2026, according to real estate experts — but the increase will be modest compared to that in past years.
—Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for increase
Verb
In recent years, as advanced technologies like agentic AI burst onto the scene, boards and C-suite leaders have shown increasing interest.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
The cost of disasters is increasing in part because climate change fuels more-intense storms, floods and wildfires that damage and destroy property.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
Pawn shops, already subject to a 500-foot distance requirement, would have seen that distance increase to 1,000 feet.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2026
Home prices in California are expected to rise in 2026, according to real estate experts — but the increase will be modest compared to that in past years.
—Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for increase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
Verb
-
Flywing also plans to expand the competitive side of the platform.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Asia-Pacific markets were mixed Friday, though chip stocks broadly rose.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Pricey rooftops Of course, California housing costs rise as you near the water.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The city was already buzzing Friday night with both Bears and Packers fans, as the return of the NFL's oldest rivalry is a boost to spirits and business.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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To be sure, how much of a boost beneficiaries see depends on the size of their current benefits.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That front could spark a few brief rain or snow showers Sunday afternoon or early evening, mainly north and west of Philadelphia, with little to no accumulation expected.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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That would encourage new peat accumulation and carbon sequestration.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This innovative approach not only speeds the design process but also frees up designers to focus on more creative tasks, demonstrating how AI can be used as a tool to augment human creativity rather than replace it.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
11 Jan. 2026
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Powell levels could be augmented by Upper Basin contributions to protect infrastructure.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The race to commercialize perovskite technology has accelerated rapidly in recent years.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The transfer portal, which opened Friday, allows programs to accelerate the rebuilding process and replace departing players — more than 20 in Florida’s case.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Investors also foresee the strain in China-Japan relations benefitting spending on South Korean businesses, leading to gains for Korean retail and consumer stocks, according to Bloomberg.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The Texans stifled the Steelers rushing attack and harassed Aaron Rodgers so extensively — sacking him four times, hitting him 12 times — that the future Hall of Fame quarterback scarcely had time to wait for plays to develop and repeatedly dumped the ball off for short gains.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Because of that, Sean Payton said his father raised him with as little danger as possible.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
16 Jan. 2026
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This Le Creuset square grill is similar to a cast-iron skillet in construction, but features raised ridges to mimic the effect of an outdoor grill, minus the flame.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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