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 And then take that same mindset and multiply it by millions of people. — Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 Thanks to the grays that keep multiplying by the year, my roots now demand a monthly refresh. — Beth Sobol, Flow Space, 2 Oct. 2026 The number of geopolitical flash points would multiply as governments rushed to grab their share of the oceans and protect their claims through force. — Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026 Vaz said the definition of a hit has shifted as screens have multiplied. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for multiply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for multiply

Verb

An algorithm trained on incomplete or unrepresentative data can reproduce inequities already present in healthcare, except now those decisions arrive wrapped in the appearance of objectivity.

— Paula Ferrada, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
These earliest plants evolved from water-living multicellular green algae—descendants of the cyanobacteria—and reproduced using spores.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of reproduce

Verb

Over the next three years, Movistar Plus plans to increase its annual output of Spanish originals from eight to 16 series, alongside another 10 titles through co-production and rights acquisition agreements.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
The GroundBreaker 1 selection comes as the Department of War places increasing emphasis on rapidly fielding autonomous and robotic systems capable of operating alongside warfighters.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

Inflation in India has been rising for 10 straight months, while economic growth has remained strong despite external challenges.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Regulatory concerns began to rise, with growing uncertainty that Netflix would be able to close its deal in short order.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Rejecting Question Three would send a powerful signal that not every American is ready to succumb to cynicism and propagate the worst parts of our political culture.

— Colin Pascal, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Propagating ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is patent-protected and cannot be propagated.

— Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of propagate

Verb

Good Time Charlie has Haddad shifting into a study of many characters at once and expanding in scale.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
The National Hurricane Center's official forecast is not one specific line, but rather a cone of uncertainty that expands with time, up to five days out.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

In 2025, the company opened a global fragrance atelier in Paris, called La Maison des Paroberfums, which aims to accelerate innovation across its portfolio of fragrance brands including Jo Malone London, Le Labo, Kilian Paris and more.

— Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
The Democratic Unitary Platform, Venezuela’s largest opposition coalition, has called for a more dynamic relationship with Washington to accelerate political change.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of accelerate

Verb

By definition, neither party enjoys a clear advantage in these contests, so both will look to augment their base support with the votes of independents.

— Julio Borquez, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
As The Economist recently reported, this began to change as local sources were augmented by federal and state spending.

— Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of augment

Verb

In the early 2000s, the city authorities stopped the culling of baboon troops in response to public pressure, but that has since swollen the population by a third – to around 500.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
Soft, breathable and moisture-wicking, socks are designed to help improve circulation, reduce swelling and relieve aches and fatigue.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 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 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of multiply

verb

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