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as in to reproduce
to bring forth offspring rabbits multiply with proverbial rapidity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Those same veteran-extension rules also make multiple players on every roster eligible, multiplying the decisions for each front office. John Hollinger, New York Times, 7 July 2025 About 20 to 30 a year are killed in car accidents, and multiplying the number of trucks and vans moving in and out of the site could increase the risk of squashing even more. Alex Harris july 3, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025 These switchable cells, Young adds, are able to multiply themselves much more extensively than previous CAR T cells have in the past. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025 Pay an additional $1 to add the Power Play for a chance to multiply all Powerball winnings except for the jackpot. Chris Sims, IndyStar, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for multiply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for multiply
Verb
  • This is a single Periscope camera module and single image sensor, but with two physical lenses, and a shifting prism inside the module moves back and forth between the two lenses as needed to reproduce two optical zoom length.
    Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • These organisms can quickly reproduce, leading to dense blooms and surface scums, particularly in the shallow, warmer parts of the lake, according to the NPS.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • In a LinkedIn post, Farley called for speeding up permitting processes, increasing spending on vocational training, leveraging robotics and augmented reality to help with these spaces and suggested an AmeriCorps-type program for these roles.
    Breana Noble, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
  • Under such a scenario, production would rapidly increase as would dollars facilitating same.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Comparing unit prices at the grocery store, shopping the sale racks and collecting spare change are necessities for many Americans, who are coping with stagnant wages, rising prices and mounting bills.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 10 July 2025
  • Success for any one of the players, as well as the end-users, constitutes a rising tide for industrial autonomy.
    Richard Bishop, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Others say the mushrooms might have propagated from areas of commercial cultivation.
    Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2025
  • The researchers simulated the way airport and military radar signals from New York’s JFK and London’s Heathrow and Gatwick propagate through space.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Mari said the strike has now expanded to include Teamsters in California and Washington state, and that upwards of 4,000 union members are now in the midst of a work stoppage.
    Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 14 July 2025
  • The Teamsters union has also expanded picketing to several other locations, with many employees at those sites honoring the picket lines, the company said.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Our graduates will now re-enter the market faster, prepared to hit the ground running and accelerate their careers.
    Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 20 July 2025
  • Starvation Much of Gaza has been reduced to a wasteland during more than 21 months of war and there are fears of accelerating starvation.
    Nidal al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • Choose solutions that augment human intelligence—leveraging AI, behavioral science and automation to unlock capacity, not just cut costs.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • This is the first of a new type of rideshare program flying to that orbit that augments SpaceX’s Transporter program that flies to SSO.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Oral allergy symptoms include swelling and itching around your mouth, tongue, lips, throat and entire face.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 13 July 2025
  • The nonprofit has deployed dozens of volunteers to Texas’ Hill Country, where more than 173 people remain missing and at least 120 have been confirmed dead after the Guadalupe River rapidly swelled beyond its banks on Friday.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Multiply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/multiply. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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