1
as in expands
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 rises
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 boosts
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 accumulations
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 increases
Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Researchers in Hong Kong have developed a low-cost hydrogel coating that cools solar panel hot spots and increases the power output, thus improving their overall performance and reliability.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
And, as our amigo Michael Cunningham wrote earlier this week, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s latest injury only increases the odds the Hawks land a very early pick (ping-pong balls pending).
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 28 Jan. 2026
That’s in part because zone 2 training increases the size and density of mitochondria in your muscle cells, Horan says.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
Under May’s bill, the fine increases to $1,000 for a second violation while Hamilton’s bill increases the fine to $10,000.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoman, 28 Jan. 2026
The announcement stops short of a formal investigation, but increases the pressure on Google to re-engineer its services to allow rival companies to access Android’s operating system.
—Suzanne Lynch, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
The chance of snow increases Saturday night.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Prolonged isolation increases the risk of anxiety, depression, aggression, psychosis, and self-harm, and is associated with higher rates of suicide attempts.
—Gladys Carrión, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Those increases automatically increase pay as workers amass more years of experience.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
The manufacturer still needs the Federal Aviation Administration’s approval for further Max increases beyond 42 per month, a requirement the regulator instated after a near-catastrophic midair blowout of a panel in January 2024.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Homeowners served by Carolina Water Service could see higher water bills as soon as March 1, even as state regulators continue reviewing whether the increases should ultimately be approved.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
The deal started at a lower value and increases every year.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
After a deep freeze across the Great Lakes region, Lake Erie is nearly completed iced over and the rest of the lakes have seen significant increases in coverage.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 26 Jan. 2026
This is due to economic growth and development brought about over time by increases in educational attainment and other factors.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Make temperature increases or decreases gradually.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
That’s because the physical exertion of shoveling increases heart rate and blood pressure, while at the same time the cold constricts blood vessels–a double whammy of stressors.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Researchers in Hong Kong have developed a low-cost hydrogel coating that cools solar panel hot spots and increases the power output, thus improving their overall performance and reliability.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
And, as our amigo Michael Cunningham wrote earlier this week, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s latest injury only increases the odds the Hawks land a very early pick (ping-pong balls pending).
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 28 Jan. 2026
That’s in part because zone 2 training increases the size and density of mitochondria in your muscle cells, Horan says.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
Under May’s bill, the fine increases to $1,000 for a second violation while Hamilton’s bill increases the fine to $10,000.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoman, 28 Jan. 2026
The announcement stops short of a formal investigation, but increases the pressure on Google to re-engineer its services to allow rival companies to access Android’s operating system.
—Suzanne Lynch, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
The chance of snow increases Saturday night.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Prolonged isolation increases the risk of anxiety, depression, aggression, psychosis, and self-harm, and is associated with higher rates of suicide attempts.
—Gladys Carrión, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
Families who never qualified say their costs are rising, too, as insurers spread the increases across the entire market.
—Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Those increases automatically increase pay as workers amass more years of experience.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
The manufacturer still needs the Federal Aviation Administration’s approval for further Max increases beyond 42 per month, a requirement the regulator instated after a near-catastrophic midair blowout of a panel in January 2024.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Homeowners served by Carolina Water Service could see higher water bills as soon as March 1, even as state regulators continue reviewing whether the increases should ultimately be approved.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
The deal started at a lower value and increases every year.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
After a deep freeze across the Great Lakes region, Lake Erie is nearly completed iced over and the rest of the lakes have seen significant increases in coverage.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 26 Jan. 2026
This is due to economic growth and development brought about over time by increases in educational attainment and other factors.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Make temperature increases or decreases gradually.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increases
Verb
-
The current phase expands participation to additional countries and concentrates on issues such as prevention of major equipment failures, safety classification of systems, and scenarios involving loss of external power supplies.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Jan. 2026
-
With only nine members, the Pac-12 will play a 16-game conference schedule, leaving up to 16 in the nonconference when the NCAA expands to a maximum of 32 next year.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, if one spouse is 65 or older, that income threshold rises to $33,100.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Picture sipping coffee as the sun rises over the Rockies, or gliding past red rock canyons en route to Glacier National Park, all from the comfort of a panoramic observation car.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Familiar dishes with small boosts tend to shine the most — creamy pastas, roasted proteins, cozy vegetarian mains, chocolate-forward desserts.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This mix has added boosts of ginger and turmeric, which are good for upset stomachs and might even ease seasickness symptoms.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
However, there is the potential for a more significant lake effect snow band to impact parts of Central New York, between Oswego and Watertown, with possible accumulations of over 6 inches in some spots.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Heavy snow has been affecting Washington since earlier this week, with the biggest accumulations reported on mountains, according to the National Weather Service field office in Seattle.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Participation accelerates growth, but the platform owners ultimately govern access, pricing and strategic direction.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
History shows that once a government normalizes this language, the slide accelerates.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While the number of retirees swells, the pool of workers funding the social safety net — and caring for the aging population — is narrowing.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
7 Jan. 2026
-
There's a sort of a natural world religiousness or spirituality or philosophy that swells around a lot of things and different characters.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There’s the direct cost of the raises, but also the related growth of the city’s pension shortfall, which increasingly eats further into the budget, as reported by the U-T’s Garrick.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Board member Chris Fons proposed that the board direct Cassellius to build a budget with full inflationary raises, no cuts to health care, and a review of district contracts to find areas for savings.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If economic growth slows or airline capacity additions decrease, service demand could soften from elevated levels.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
That is not to say the theatrical versions are bad, but given the density of Tolkien’s work and Jackson’s movies, the additions give the story and many characters room to breathe.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Increases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increases. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
