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
John Dias, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
With any thaw, after an extended period of frigid conditions and buildup of ice, the potential for ice jams and ice-jam flooding will increase on non-tidal portions of the streams and rivers.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
In fact, some of these data centers use the same amount of energy per day as a small city, leading to higher than average utility rate increases in states with the highest concentrations of them.
—Natasha Sutherland, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for increase
Verb
The deal included maintaining enforceable safe-staffing standards, increasing the number of nurses to improve patient care, and raising salaries by 12% over the next three years.
—John Dias, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
With any thaw, after an extended period of frigid conditions and buildup of ice, the potential for ice jams and ice-jam flooding will increase on non-tidal portions of the streams and rivers.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
One study found that for every five-kilogram decrease in grip strength, all-cause mortality increases by 16%.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
In fact, some of these data centers use the same amount of energy per day as a small city, leading to higher than average utility rate increases in states with the highest concentrations of them.
—Natasha Sutherland, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for increase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
Verb
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Integrating unmanned logistics The Army continues to expand its use of unmanned systems across air and ground domains.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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However, according to a draft of its charter, its mission has since expanded to address conflicts worldwide.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
16 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
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Universities across the state will also get a sizable boost from the funding bills.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
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But now researchers say a quick nap might offer that same kind of brain boost.—
Hunter Boyce,
AJC.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Total snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches for 3500 to 4500 feet elevation including the Grapevine of the Interstate-5 Corridor possible.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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The restaurant was in violation of 16 standards, including employees not using hair restraints and rust accumulation on prep surfaces.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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HoloRadar augments the safety of autonomous robots by complementing existing sensors rather than replacing them.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
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Breaking roles into micro-tasks allows organizations to see where automation can remove friction, where AI can augment human judgment, and where human contribution remains essential.—
Keith Ferrazzi,
Fortune,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The event saw several European leaders and policymakers reiterate the need for greater defense spending to accelerate the continent's strategic autonomy, with discussions of a common nuclear shield.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
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Its members are pushing legislation to accelerate encampment sweeps and eliminate a longstanding local requirement that the city offer shelter to residents when forcing them to move.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Longitudinal studies across diverse populations will be needed to assess whether shifts in the oral microbiome can predict future weight gain, insulin resistance, or cardiometabolic decline, and perhaps most excitingly, whether modifying one's oral ecosystem alters systemic metabolic markers.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
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The primary challenge of the 2025 gerrymandering was a lack of transparency and the prioritization of partisan gain over fair representation.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 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
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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 20 Feb. 2026.
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