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

El Niño is expected to increase precipitation statewide this winter, with the biggest gains likely to arrive in December. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

There was a time when conservatives were opposed to increasing the debt. — Kevin Igoe, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Noun

Given the Muse success, one of our causes for caution coming into the print was the related increase in costs needed to get the AI agent to full ramp. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

So far, though, employers have shouldered most of that increase. — Tara Bannow, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026