Synonyms of increase

increase 1 of 2

verb

in-ˈkrēs 

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

• expand
• boost
• augment
• raise
• multiply
• extend
• enhance
• maximize
• intensify
• accelerate
• amplify
• reinforce
• swell
• strengthen
• add (to)
• escalate
• enlarge
• stoke
• aggrandize
• build up
• compound
• up
• pump up
• supplement
• heighten
• skyrocket
• supersize
• develop
• spike
• hype
• lengthen
• jump
• prolong
• inflate
• complement
• stretch
• boom
• draw out
• elongate
• bump (up)
• dilate
• flesh (out)
• distend
• accumulate
• magnify
• protract
• blow up
• ratchet (up)
• collect
• amass
• beef (up)
• rachet (up)
• follow up
• parlay

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• lower
• dwindle
• subtract (from)
• abate
• downsize
• shorten
• curtail
• abridge
• abbreviate
• minify
• compress
• contract
• de-escalate
• constrict
• condense
• cut back
• retrench

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

• rise
• accelerate
• expand
• swell
• multiply
• intensify
• climb
• accumulate
• gain
• spread
• wax
• escalate
• surge
• enlarge
• roll up
• proliferate
• heighten
• jump
• mount
• appreciate
• boom
• build up
• skyrocket
• snowball
• balloon
• mushroom
• burgeon
• bulk
• peak
• redouble
• rocket
• inflate
• puff (up)
• distend
• blow up
• crest
• crescendo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• contract
• recede
• dwindle
• wane

increase

2 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌkrēs 

1

as in boost

something added (as by growth)

shortly after he turned 12, he had a sudden height increase

Synonyms & Similar Words

• boost
• gain
• addition
• raise
• rise
• increment
• expansion
• augmentation
• accumulation
• proliferation
• supplement
• accrual
• plus
• step-up
• uptick
• accretion
• continuation
• more
• spike
• addendum
• jump
• extension
• complement
• collection
• upturn
• gathering
• appendix
• accession
• assemblage
• uptrend
• run-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• reduction
• loss
• decline
• lowering
• diminution
• depletion
• shrinkage
• fall
• lessening
• decrement
• abatement
• diminishment
• falloff
• deduction
• drop-off
• step-down
• subtraction

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

• accumulation
• accumulating
• addition
• multiplication
• proliferation
• growth
• doubling
• rise
• mushrooming
• expansion
• creep
• escalation
• quadrupling
• inflation
• tripling
• augmentation
• spread
• enlargement
• increment
• amplification
• lengthening
• boost
• extension
• gain
• distension
• cumulation
• accrual
• accretion
• hike

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• reduction
• lowering
• diminishing
• drop
• diminution
• shrinkage
• compression
• contracting
• fall
• lessening
• contraction
• abatement
• constriction
• shrinking
• condensation
• condensing
• shortening
• diminishment
• falloff
• drop-off
• compressing
• retrenchment
• constricting
• retrenching

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

Recent Examples of increase

Verb

The reason progestogen is recommended in women with a uterus is because estrogen can stimulate growth of the uterine lining and increase the risk of endometrial cancer. — Shannon Firth, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026

In recent years, the state has pursued some public health interventions but has leaned heavily on increasing criminal penalties for using and possessing fentanyl. — Joshua Barocas, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026

Noun

Instead, September marked the fastest monthly increase since March 2022 and the highest annual rate since December 2022, the year when US inflation hit a 40-year high. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

More expensive energy drove most of the increase as wholesale gas prices soared more than 20% from August to September. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026