increase 1 of 2

increase

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noun

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
Exports to America fell a staggering 16 percent and increased elsewhere by only 2.9 percent. Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025 The bet is a next leg of L’Oréal’s increasing ambitions in the beauty-tech space, fueled by efforts to bring forth tech innovations that are accessible and solve solutions for everyday consumers. Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
Noun
The new pictures represent a significant increase in detail that is primarily owed to Biomass’s main instrument: the P-band synthetic aperture radar. Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 1 July 2025 One reported a 60% increase in sales within four months, while another saved 30-hours per week on decision-making processes, according to Medone. Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for increase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
Verb
  • Weeks later, the BBC expanded Frediani’s empire to include News at One.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 1 July 2025
  • Romanticize your sleep with Tekla’s dainty bedding Since launching in 2017, Tekla has expanded from bedding into sleepwear, bathroom sets, and more.
    Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Refill and reuse is a rising movement: both a return to commonsense practices our grandparents knew — and a path forward toward innovation.
    Rachel Bustamante, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2025
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • However, here’s the catch: these estimates do not even include the prospective boost from the new cryptocurrency offerings.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Because of the sizable performance boost, the car can now cover the quarter-mile in a production record 7.9 seconds.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The annual Ten Thousand Commandments report has, since 1993, tracked the inexorable accumulation of federal regulation.
    Clyde Wayne Crews Jr, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The United States would be, to put it mildly, naïve to believe that the accumulation of intelligence and modern warfare knowledge by North Korea, China and Iran presents no threat to the United States.
    Laura Thornton, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • That starts with understanding customers' needs, using agents to augment the work sellers do and then providing sales coaching on the go with a closed-loop learning system.
    Anand Shah, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Edwards and Lopez flipping positions has augmented Miami defensively, and Edwards has continued to hit (.283, .358 on base).
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Putting oneself in those situations that challenge conversational comfort zones and embracing discomfort, tension and unresolved conflicts accelerates growth significantly.
    Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025
  • Throughout the 1960s, New York City’s financial sector boomed, yet simultaneously, poverty rates soared, deindustrialization accelerated, and housing costs skyrocketed.
    Daniel Wortel-London, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The windfalls from name, image and licensing rights carry a slew of gains for athletes, including bolstering traditional labor objectives like collective bargaining.
    Evan Drellich, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • In terms of the absolute number of viewers that were added between a sixth and seventh broadcast, the 2016 Cavaliers-Warriors classic beat all comers with a net gain of 10.3 million viewers.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Eight steel lifting straps were used to put the hull upright and to form part of a steel wire lifting system that began raising the vessel out of the water Saturday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
  • Another raises the question of subsidence, which relates to the caving in or sinking of land.
    Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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