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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of increase
Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
With the 2025-26 flu season expected to be worse than usual, cases of the flu are increasing rapidly in Michigan as the virus spreads across schools ahead of winter break.
—Lori Comstock, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
New Atlas, 8 Nov. 2025
Certain enrollees, such as early retirees with modest incomes, face much larger increases, health experts said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for increase
Verb
Under a 10-year concession agreement, the group agreed to pay at least $50 million to the city, including minimum annual rent payments starting at $4 million and increasing by 3% each year.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
With the 2025-26 flu season expected to be worse than usual, cases of the flu are increasing rapidly in Michigan as the virus spreads across schools ahead of winter break.
—Lori Comstock, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
There was excessive growth of microtubules that wasn’t caused by an increase in gene activity, but likely due to the cells failing to clear away old or misfolded proteins.
—New Atlas, 8 Nov. 2025
Certain enrollees, such as early retirees with modest incomes, face much larger increases, health experts said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for increase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
Verb
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In addition to WeRide and Pony AI, Baidu is also expanding its robotaxi offerings through its Apollo Go vehicles.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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That includes a new and robust collaboration with Brazil’s federal government and 22 of its states—including Pará—to expand cooperation on climate action.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But Vanderbilt, as attention, pressure and fatigue rise on a pursuit no one outside its camp expected, is essentially two teams with two games left in the 2025 regular season.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The return of that duo would provide a huge boost for an offense that looked overmatched in its last matchup against a contender, a 24-9 Week 7 loss in Detroit.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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For customers upgrading from DSL or cable, Brightspeed Fiber offers a major boost in reliability and upload speeds without the complexity of traditional service agreements.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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There was ice accumulation on the condenser fan piping in the walk-in bakery freezer.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Any snowfall will likely be just flurries, with no accumulation anticipated, the weather service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Japanese maple trees can also be planted in a container filled with a quality potting mix augmented with compost and sharp sand.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
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Intelligent machines augment intelligent humans, driving a geometric expansion of what humans can do.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The researchers emphasized that policy support is crucial for accelerating this transition and building a robust recycling system.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
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Business leaders say that such policies risk accelerating an exodus of companies, diminishing the city’s commercial tax base, and ultimately affecting services and jobs essential to millions of New Yorkers.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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That said, many of the gains players made here won’t dramatically affect their bottom lines, and the reality is that most players on ECHL deals will still need those second jobs and other sources of income to continue to chase their dream of making it to the next level.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Beck capitalized on that to get shorter gains and set up more manageable third-down situations.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Someone who is unable to work in mainstream punditry because his face no longer fits, but is determined to raise standards among those who do as an outside agitator.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Yet Tapestry—the parent company of Coach—said Gen Z now accounts for roughly 35% of its new customers, helping the brand beat Wall Street expectations and raise its full-year forecast.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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