MULTIPLY Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'multiply' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of multiply are augment , enlarge , and increase . While all these words mean "to make or become greater," multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process. // with each attempt the problems multiplied

Q: When is it sensible to use 'augment' instead of 'multiply'?

The meanings of augment and multiply largely overlap; however, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed. // the inheritance augmented his fortune

Q: When would 'enlarge' be a good substitute for 'multiply'?

The synonyms enlarge and multiply are sometimes interchangeable, but enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity. // enlarged the kitchen

Q: When could 'increase' be used to replace 'multiply'?

The words increase and multiply can be used in similar contexts, but 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

multiply

verb

ˈməl-tə-ˌplī

Definition of multiply

as in to reproduce

to bring forth offspring rabbits multiply with proverbial rapidity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to increase

to make greater in size, amount, or number the booming economy multiplied the wealth of investors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rise

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number with each attempt the problems multiplied

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb multiply contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of multiply are augment, enlarge, and increase. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

When is it sensible to use augment instead of multiply?

The meanings of augment and multiply largely overlap; however, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When would enlarge be a good substitute for multiply?

The synonyms enlarge and multiply are sometimes interchangeable, but enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

When could increase be used to replace multiply?

The words increase and multiply can be used in similar contexts, but 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

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 multiply Paxlovid — a combination of the drugs nirmatrelvir and ritonavir — works by stopping the virus that causes Covid from multiplying. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026 New bars, which seem to multiply by the second, are no less invigorating. — Michael Snyder, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 2026 This range, which spans between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, is where bacteria can multiply quickly. — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026 Every leadership promotion effectively multiplies that person’s behavior across the organization. — Forbes Business Council, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for multiply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for multiply

Verb

There are so many, because Venice has an atmosphere that is difficult to reproduce anywhere else.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
Myers said these teacup animals usually come about through reproductive technology and selective breeding, where people repeatedly breed the smallest animals, then use the smallest offspring to reproduce.

— Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of reproduce

Verb

By increasing the carrier density in the neighbouring graphene bilayer, the team progressively weakened the Coulomb interactions between electrons in the magic-angle graphene.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
The cores or plugs removed from the lawn during aeration actually increase the success of overseeding by providing more direct contact between the seeds and the soil.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

But rising bond yields make safer government debt more attractive relative to stocks, while also reducing the present value investors assign to companies’ future earnings.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
At the same time, waste is still piling up and resale’s environmental footprint is rising.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Autumn joy stonecrop propagates readily indoors or outdoors, both from stem cuttings and from leaf cuttings placed on the soil surface.

— Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
Rather than propagating vertically toward the electrodes, the dendrites spread horizontally inside the electrolyte.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of propagate

Verb

The View From Beijing In a departure from business strategies of the past, this current cohort of Chinese companies has a mandate to expand internationally, according to academic Karim Alwadi, based in Beijing.

— Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Opened on New Year’s Day in 1926, the hotel was expanded by famed society architect Maurice Fatio, who managed to maintain intimacy despite imposing a larger footprint.

— Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

Liu pointed to China’s 2025 Global AI Governance Action Plan, which calls for accelerating construction of clean power, next-generation networks, computing capacity and data centers.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
As a result, fewer researchers seek material that could accelerate innovation, and fewer countries are willing to share it.

— Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of accelerate

Verb

In future windows, a younger, faster centre-back feels required to augment an ageing cohort, with Burn and Fabian Schar both 34 and only Malick Thiaw possessing much pace.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Every solution is designed to augment human expertise rather than replace it, ensuring AI strengthens decision-making while maintaining accountability, transparency, and trust.

— Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of augment

Verb

Each morning at the crack of dawn, in one of the great Instagram moments of our time, 165 enormous balloons begin to swell in Cappadocia's half-light, their burners briefly illuminating the valley floor.

— Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
But the administration, led by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, has pushed ahead, recruiting bankers to help wield a loan authority that has swelled from $1 billion to $200 billion thanks to the recent Republican party-line tax bill.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of swell

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multiplies

multiply

multiplying

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“Multiply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/multiply. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of multiply

verb

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