Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

increase

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of increase

1 something added (as by growth)
  • Shortly after he turned 12, he had a sudden height increase.
Synonyms of increase

accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, expansion, gain, increment, more, plus, proliferation, raise, rise, step-up, supplement, uptick
Words Related to increase

accumulation, assemblage, collection, gathering

complement

accession, appendix, continuation, extension, uptrend, upturn

jump, run-up, spike
Near Antonyms of increase

deduction, subtraction
Antonyms of increase

abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, depletion, diminishment, diminution, drop-off, fall, falloff, lessening, loss, lowering, reduction, shrinkage, step-down
2 the act or process of becoming greater in number
  • The increase in the number of students enrolled at the school was very gradual.
Synonyms of increase

accumulating, accumulation, addition, multiplication, mushrooming, proliferation
Words Related to increase

doubling, quadrupling, tripling

creep, growth, rise, spread

enlargement, escalation, expansion

amplification, distension (or distention), inflation

accretion, accrual, augmentation, cumulation

extension, lengthening

boost, gain, hike, increment, rise
Near Antonyms of increase

abatement, compressing, compression, condensation, condensing, constricting, constriction, contracting, contraction, diminishing, diminishment, diminution, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, lessening, lowering, reduction, shrinkage, shrinking

retrenching, retrenchment, shortening
Antonyms of increase

decrease

increase

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of increase

1 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 of increase

accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, hype, multiply, pump up, raise, supersize, swell, up
Words Related to increase

boom, jump, skyrocket, spike

bump (up), ratchet (up) also rachet (up)

blow up, dilate, distend, inflate

draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch

develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify

complement, supplement

beef (up), reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen

maximize

accumulate, amass, collect

follow up, parlay
Near Antonyms of increase

abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten

compress, condense, constrict, contract

cut back, retrench
Antonyms of increase

abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)
2 to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
  • Traffic delays increased because of the construction.
Synonyms of increase

accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon (also bourgeon), climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax
Words Related to increase

jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge

heighten, intensify, redouble

blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up)

crescendo, crest, peak
Antonyms of increase

contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

Synonym Discussion of increase

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater. increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity
    • his waistline increased with age
; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.
    • increased her landholdings
enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.
    • enlarged the kitchen
augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.
    • the inheritance augmented his fortune
multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.
    • with each attempt the problems multiplied

Learn More about increase

  1. Dictionary: Definition of increase Spanish Central: Translation of increase Nglish: Translation of increase for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of increase for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up increase? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games