INCREASE Synonyms: 171 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

increase 1 of 2

verb

in-ˈkrēs

Definition of increase

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

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

increase

2 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌkrēs

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

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

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

Traders responded to the numbers by ramping up bets that the Federal Open Market Committee will increase its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026 Hitting that goal will require increasing the supply of renewable energy and transitioning away from the use of natural gas, which supplies roughly a third of the state’s electricity. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Noun

Lower energy costs could help cover other expenses, pay for infrastructure upgrades or ease pressure on future rate increases. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Cannabis products, particularly edibles, accounted for much of the increase. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for increase

Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase

Verb

In the 1980s some politicians and activists expanded their definitions to include Asian and African groups.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026
Data center demand meets nuclear power The agreement comes as Google expands its Finnish infrastructure, including its data center in Hamina.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

In recent weeks, new cases and deaths have declined in Ituri province, the outbreak's epicenter, but risen sharply in neighboring North Kivu and Haut-Uele, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said at a weekly briefing.

— JEAN-YVES KAMALE, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
Since late July, diesel prices have been rising higher and faster overall than the cost of regular unleaded gas.

— Steve Kopack, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of rise

Noun

But Dejan Kulusevski is back in full training in a boost to head coach Roberto De Zerbi, while the club boosted their forward options with the signings of Savio and Omar Marmoush from Manchester City during the window.

— Elias Burke, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The average survey respondent projects a significant boost in productivity and economic growth but also a substantial disruption to workers in AI-sensitive fields.

— Scott Horsley, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of boost

Noun

Thanks to an unruly accumulation of furniture, however, the apartment initially felt cramped.

— Sophia Herring, Architectural Digest, 9 Sep. 2026
Plaque accumulation within artery walls—a process called atherosclerosis—is what increases your risk for heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues.

— Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of accumulation

Verb

Fashion, after all, has the power to augment the public’s perception of a public figure.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026
Bathed in the shifting light from the screen, the orchestra’s movements and playing functioned like a second drama unfolding onstage, augmenting and mirroring the original film.

— Caitlin White, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of augment

Noun

Those gains, of course, allowed the club to partially circumnavigate La Liga’s spending controls so, even as the club lops off chunks of value from the asset each year, the Byzantine structure of it all has certainly served a purpose.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Islamophobia helped spur the rise of populist right-wing parties in Europe, alongside the migration crisis caused by Syria’s civil war and ISIS’s territorial gains in Syria and Iraq.

— Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of gain

Browse Nearby Words

incorruptible

increase

increased

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Style

“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of increase

verb

noun

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