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 Jason’s premiums cost $150 per year, or $1,500 when multiplied by 10. — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026 As the economy boomed, multiplexes multiplied and box office prospects rose, even independent projects with no stars attached could raise reasonable budgets in China. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 This multiplied the number of active catalyst sites across the material. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026 As those findings multiply, so will the number of dangerous secrets waiting for fixes. — Harry Booth, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for multiply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for multiply

Verb

An elusive recipe In 2020, Dutch researchers reproduced the green/red dichroic effect of the Lycurgus Cup in a 3D printable nanocomposite material by embedding small amounts of silver and gold nanoparticles, of the proper size and shapes.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026
The device reproduced the fingerprint's tiny ridges and valleys, demonstrating an impressive spatial resolution of 30 micrometers (847 dpi).

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of reproduce

Verb

Some studies also suggest moving commuting times nearer to dusk in the fall increases the risk of vehicle collisions with deer and other wildlife, which are more active around sunset.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026
Advance voting has also increased more than 30% from the same point four years ago in Maine, Michigan, North Carolina and Kansas, states with competitive Senate races.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

View this post on Instagram Because of the news of her divorce, the post trickled through the celebrity gossip outlets, and that coverage in turn propagated the post through Google search.

— Mia Sato, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
The flow of the attacks was (1) finding targets, (2) gaining code execution, (3) establishing inference, and (4) propagating to new hosts.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of propagate

Verb

Japan has been accelerating military buildup in southwestern Japan to deter China.

— JIM GOMEZ, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
Google just posted two quarters of negative free cash flow for the first time on record as AI spending accelerates while revenue isn’t growing as fast as expected.

— Lucy Bayly, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of accelerate

Verb

Legally, up to one percent of additives are allowed to be used without being disclosed to augment color and flavor, but nowadays many tequila drinkers are specifically seeking out additive-free expressions.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2026
The incoming Congress must act to preserve and augment funding for pediatric care.

— Jonathan E. Kohler, STAT, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of augment

Verb

Then the shuttle appears on screen, the music swells and the room shakes with the tearing, rumbling force of a launch.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The team said Tuesday morning that two-time defensive player of the year Kawhi Leonard will be re-evaluated in a week due to swelling in his left knee.

— Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of swell

Browse Nearby Words

multiplies

multiply

multiplying

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Style

“Multiply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/multiply. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of multiply

verb

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