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
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
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
And while the service has helped by increasing tenant renewal rates, Greene said the number of renters behind on payments is still high.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Amy Galo, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
The resulting oil shortage and price increases are forcing countries around the world to limit energy use, tap into emergency reserves and scramble for alternative sources.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for increase
Verb
In the memo, Stutzman said that the first-year wage increase had been increased to 4%, which will come on top of a 3% raise given last August.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
And while the service has helped by increasing tenant renewal rates, Greene said the number of renters behind on payments is still high.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
To assist businesses impacted by parking garage rate increases, the city will offer free 24-hour shuttles.
—Amy Galo, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
The resulting oil shortage and price increases are forcing countries around the world to limit energy use, tap into emergency reserves and scramble for alternative sources.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for increase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
Verb
-
Situationist is also expanding its team, with a new office above the new store.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Republican lawmakers are opposed to expanding health care to undocumented immigrants, and particularly ready to attack Democrat efforts to raise new revenues to do so.—
Andrew Graham
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tan first rose to fame in the ’80s and ’90s as one of Singapore’s top male models, gracing magazine covers and campaigns across Asia.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
-
That is to say that the way the current system is set up distorts the healthcare economy in ways that don’t allow for much price competition, with ever-rising insurance premiums as the result.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the initial boost to stocks of Archer, BETA, and rival Joby Aviation was short-lived.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Now, climate change is giving these squatters a boost.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Make sure to always use front and back lens caps to minimize dirt accumulation when the lenses are not in use.—
Jacob Little,
Space.com,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Little to no accumulation is expected, but may get some in the grassy surfaces.—
Mary Ours,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Finally, consider augmenting the winter landscape, when roses and many of their companions lie dormant.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
This was the first Dragon launch from SLC-40 since the addition of a crew access arm to support Dragon launches from more than one Space Coast pad and augment normal launches from KSC’s Launch Pad 39-A.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
China’s consumer-price growth accelerated to the quickest in over three years and factory deflation moderated again, after a rally in energy markets and as household spending boomed during a later-than-usual Lunar New Year holiday.—
Bloomberg News,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
But record-breaking temperatures in recent years have led scientists to question whether the pace of temperature gains is accelerating.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And yet, despite that, there had been the weight gain, just enough for the zipper on the Balenciaga to become her sworn enemy.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
And while college enrollment and completion rates have improved districtwide, Black students haven’t seen the same gains.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Moïse, who said she was born and raised in Haiti and had lived at the family home since 2015, described having as many as 30 to 50 guards around the home at all times.—
Tania Francois,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Another audience member sensitively played Sam, the narrator’s love of his life, a relationship that reveals the long-term toll of being raised by a parent suffering from suicidal depression.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
