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

Its work will run through 2030 and support Canada’s broader effort to increase isotope production. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026 The biggest help by far would be increasing the supply of rental units. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

Labor negotiators generally seek pay increases and improved benefits. — Jon Regardie, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 In some buildings using RealPage, rents jumped by as much as 33 percent in a single year — more than eight times the increase in a comparable building that didn’t use the software. — Lindsay Owens, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for increase

Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase

Verb

The same architecture can now support another round of measurements from orbit as the constellation expands.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
The episode ultimately reunites Constance with two of her children, Tate and Adelaide (Jamie Brewer), as the season continues to expand its connections to the show’s earlier installments.

— Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

Those challenges become tomorrow’s workforce shortages, rising health care costs, and lost economic potential.

— Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
It is inspired by the true story of the world’s first celebrity chef, Antonin Carême (Voisin), who rose from humble beginnings in Paris to the height of culinary stardom in Napoleon’s Europe.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of rise

Noun

In the meantime, though, the 50-50 split means the industry is about to see a boost.

— Emma Alpern, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, a Chinese immigrant and chair of the Board of Supervisors’ budget committee, is a progressive backed by labor whose campaign received a major boost from Pelosi’s endorsement.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of boost

Noun

The mark is not a single mark at all but an accumulation of marks that coheres into a whole by theatrically—even illusionistically—representing itself as a single brushstroke.

— Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
The artist stepped away from performing last year after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain disorder caused by an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s ventricles.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of accumulation

Verb

Heightened immigration enforcement, data privacy concerns and shifting policies at present can augment existing barriers to higher education and financial aid for these groups, according to researchers.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
That the stakes are high only augments the thrill of unlocking their working equation.

— Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of augment

Noun

On the ensuing possession, Rickie Collins found Javon Rogers down the middle of the field for a 47-yard gain to the ASU 20.

— Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
The experiments were not designed to demonstrate ignition or fusion gain, but to isolate and test this core compression principle.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 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 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of increase

verb

noun

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