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
Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026
The online ticket sales are necessary to increase revenue for the lottery’s mission to fund outdoor recreation and wildlife, Colorado Lottery director Tom Seaver said.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
The bet is that if and when beef prices fall, the combination of strong traffic growth with falling input prices will lead to a significant increase in margins.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for increase
Verb
High winds with gusts as strong as 40 to 70 mph are also expected, which increase the risk of power outages and coastal flooding.
—Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026
The online ticket sales are necessary to increase revenue for the lottery’s mission to fund outdoor recreation and wildlife, Colorado Lottery director Tom Seaver said.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
While a surge in bird flu cases among breeder chickens pushed the national average to a new record in June, those increases were measured in a few cents.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
The bet is that if and when beef prices fall, the combination of strong traffic growth with falling input prices will lead to a significant increase in margins.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for increase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
Verb
-
Oseguera was the leader and co-founder of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a criminal group that has rapidly expanded its influence in recent years, becoming one of the main traffickers of methamphetamine and fentanyl into the US.—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty Images Four years of war between Russia and Ukraine are beginning to take their toll on the countries' demographics as the conflict puts women off — or prevents them — from starting or expanding their families.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After finishing third in the short program, Liu rose to the top of the medal podium while skating freely, ebulliently, inured to any pressure, performing with technical precision and bright artistry.—
Bora Erden,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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At some point, likely within the next two billion years, those temperatures will rise so high that our oceans will boil away; shortly after that, it’s expected that life on our planet will go completely extinct.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But that boost also didn’t last long – 2025 was marked mostly by Russia’s slow, grinding offensive along the 1,200-kilometer-long frontline.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Beans and peas planted as companion plants for peppers can give your plants a nutrient boost and promote more vigorous growth.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The National Weather Service predicts total snow accumulations between 14 and 18 inches, with blizzard conditions possible.—
Katie Landeck,
The Providence Journal,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The government office of the Tyrol region said intense snowfall over the last week led to accumulations of up to 5 feet.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The step could accelerate throughput, strengthen the maritime industrial base, and augment the shipbuilding workforce.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
-
This was the first Dragon launch from SLC-40 since the addition of a crew access arm to support Dragon launches from more than one Space Coast pad and augment normal launches from KSC’s Launch Pad 39-A.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
By doing this, the team effectively took a motor designed to accelerate a dirt bike aggressively and put it into a tiny quadricycle roughly the size of a fridge.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The moment land became a milestone, the campaign accelerated.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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All of our bank stocks, at least, remained above the fray and finished the week higher, led by a 2% gain for Wells Fargo .—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2026
-
But a defeat at home to the lowly Eagles (9-18, 2-12) would have canceled out much of Tuesday’s gain in status.—
Randy Jennings,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Davis said that many online commenters seemed to object both to tipping and service charges, even as restaurateurs struggle to raise menu prices to keep pace with the soaring costs of food and rent.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Murder-for-hire theories have been raised.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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